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{{short description|Telemundo TV station in Mount Laurel, New Jersey}}
{{short description|Telemundo TV station in Mount Laurel, New Jersey}}
{{more citations needed|date=March 2013}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox television station
{{Infobox television station
| callsign = WWSI
| callsign = WWSI
| city = Mount Laurel, New Jersey
| city = Mount Laurel, New Jersey
| logo = Wwsi telemundo62 atlantic city.png
| logo = Telemundo WWSI 62 2018 vector logo.svg
| logo_alt = The Telemundo network logo, a T with two circular overlapping components. To the right and under the T, the number 62. Beneath it, in a sans serif, the word Telemundo.
| branding = Telemundo 62; ''Noticiero Telemundo 62''
| branding = {{lang|es|italic=no|Telemundo 62}}; {{lang|es|Noticiero Telemundo 62}}
| digital = 28 ([[ultra high frequency|UHF]]) ''(shared with [[WCAU]])''
| digital = 28 ([[UHF]]), shared with [[WCAU]]
| virtual = 62
| virtual = 62
| affiliations = {{ubl|'''62.1:''' [[Telemundo]]|'''62.2:''' [[TeleXitos]]}}
| affiliations = {{ubl|'''62.1:''' [[Telemundo]]|'''62.2:''' [[TeleXitos]]}}
| owner = {{ubl|[[Telemundo Station Group]]|([[Comcast]]/[[NBCUniversal]])}}
| owner = [[Telemundo Station Group]]
| licensee = NBC Telemundo License [[Limited liability company|LLC]]
| licensee = NBC Telemundo License [[LLC]]
| location = {{ubl|[[Mount Laurel, New Jersey]]|[[Philadelphia|Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]]}}
| location = {{ubl|[[Mount Laurel, New Jersey]]|[[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]]}}
| country = United States
| country = United States
| airdate = {{start date and age|2001|1|17}} ''(in [[Atlantic City, New Jersey]]; license moved to Mount Laurel in 2018)''
| founded = September 9, 1987
| airdate = {{start date and age|2001|1|17}} (in [[Atlantic City, New Jersey]]; license moved to Mount Laurel in 2018<ref name="wwsimountlaurel">[https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/enwiki/api/download/attachment/25076f915f5883d0015f5fb0e0092163 Section 307(b) Showing for New COL of Mount Laurel, NJ]</ref>)''
| callsign_meaning = "Sí" is Spanish for "yes"
| sister_stations = {{ubl|WCAU|[[NBC Sports Philadelphia]]}}
| sister_stations = {{ubl|WCAU|[[NBC Sports Philadelphia]]}}
| former_callsigns = {{ubl|WDKZ (1987–1989)|WACI (1989–2000)|WPHA (2000–2001)}}
| former_callsigns = {{ubl|WDKZ (1987–1989)|WACI (1989–2000)|WPHA (2000–2001)}}
| former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|'''Analog:''' 62 (UHF, 2001–2009)|'''Digital:''' 49 (UHF, 2002–2018), 34 (UHF, 2018–2019)}}
| former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|'''Analog:''' 62 (UHF, 2001–2009)|'''Digital:''' 49 (UHF, 2002–2018), 34 (UHF, 2018–2019)}}
| erp = 745 [[kilowatt|kW]]
| erp = 745 [[kW]]
| haat = {{convert|399.8|m|ft|1|abbr=on}}
| haat = {{convert|399.8|m|ft|1|abbr=on}}
| facility_id = 23142
| facility_id = 23142
| coordinates = {{coord|40|2|30.1|N|75|14|10.1|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}
| coordinates = {{coord|40|2|30.1|N|75|14|10.1|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}
| licensing_authority = [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]]
| licensing_authority = [[FCC]]
| website = {{URL|https://www.telemundo62.com/}}
| website = {{URL|https://www.telemundo62.com/}}
}}
}}


'''WWSI''' (channel 62) is a [[television station]] licensed to [[Mount Laurel, New Jersey]], United States, serving as the [[Philadelphia]]-area outlet for the Spanish-language network [[Telemundo]]. It is [[owned-and-operated station|owned and operated]] by [[NBCUniversal]]'s [[Telemundo Station Group]] alongside [[NBC]] outlet [[WCAU]] (channel 10); it is also sister to [[regional sports network]] [[NBC Sports Philadelphia]]. WWSI and WCAU share studios within the [[Comcast Technology Center]] on [[Arch Street (Philadelphia)|Arch Street]] in [[Center City, Philadelphia|Center City]], with some operations remaining at their former main studio at the corner of [[U.S. Route 1 in Pennsylvania#City Avenue|City Avenue]] and Monument Road in [[Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania|Bala Cynwyd]], along the [[Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia]]–[[Montgomery County, Pennsylvania|Montgomery]] county line. Through a [[frequency sharing|channel sharing agreement]], the two stations transmit using WCAU's spectrum from a tower in the [[Roxborough, Philadelphia|Roxborough]] section of Philadelphia.
'''WWSI''' (channel 62) is a [[television station]] licensed to [[Mount Laurel, New Jersey]], United States, serving as the [[Philadelphia]]-area outlet for the Spanish-language network [[Telemundo]]. It is [[owned and operated]] by [[NBCUniversal]]'s [[Telemundo Station Group]] alongside [[NBC]] outlet [[WCAU]] (channel 10); it is also sister to [[regional sports network]] [[NBC Sports Philadelphia]]. The stations' studios are located in [[Comcast Technology Center]] on [[Arch Street]] in [[Center City, Philadelphia|Center City]], and they are [[channel sharing agreement|broadcast from one transmitter]] in the [[Roxborough, Philadelphia|Roxborough]] section of Philadelphia.

Channel 62 was assigned to [[Atlantic City, New Jersey]], in 1984 as part of a proceeding to improve local television service throughout the state. Garden State Communications obtained the construction permit in 1987, but construction activity only progressed in 2000, after Council Tree Communications bought a majority stake. The station signed on the air in January 2001 as a Telemundo affiliate, the first in the Philadelphia market in over a year, and aired little local programming first under Council Tree and later [[ZGS Communications]] ownership. In 2013, NBC acquired WWSI, which it has integrated with WCAU. This included the 2014 launch of local Spanish-language news and the 2018 move into the Comcast Technology Center. After selling the station's spectrum, WWSI began transmitting from WCAU's tower in 2018 and changed its [[city of license]].


==History==
==History==
===Prehistory and construction===
[[File:WWSI62.png|thumb|left|200px|Former WWSI logo, used from 2004 to 2012.]]
In 1980, the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) proposed assigning channel 62 to [[Atlantic City, New Jersey]], as part of a proposal to improve television service in the state.<ref name="Pres800716">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/press-of-atlantic-city-3-networks-oppose/153939613/|date=July 16, 1980|page=18|title=3 Networks Oppose UHF Affiliate Plan|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=Press of Atlantic City|location=Atlantic City, New Jersey|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 27, 2024}}</ref><!-- Wed --> The proceeding and channel addition were finalized in 1984,<ref name="Pres840628">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/press-of-atlantic-city-vineland-gets-tv/153939588/|date=June 28, 1984|page=27|agency=Associated Press|title=Vineland Gets TV Channel|newspaper=Press of Atlantic City|location=Atlantic City, New Jersey|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 27, 2024|archive-date=August 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240830014841/https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-of-atlantic-city-vineland-gets-tv/153939588/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> and in August 1986, the FCC designated a group of five applications for the channel for [[comparative hearing]].<ref name="Pres860904">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/press-of-atlantic-city-notice-atlantic/153939644/|date=September 4, 1986|page=36|title=Notice|newspaper=Press of Atlantic City|location=Atlantic City, New Jersey|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 27, 2024|archive-date=August 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240830014841/https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-of-atlantic-city-notice-atlantic/153939644/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> A settlement agreement was registered with the FCC in 1987, though Garden State Communications was not immediately granted the permit on the issue of short-spacing with other stations.<ref>{{Cite news|page=80|id={{pq|1014715205}}|title=In Contest|work=Broadcasting|date=August 3, 1987}}</ref> The permit remained dormant for the next decade. In 1990, the [[Securities and Exchange Commission]] sued a Philadelphia company for illegally raising funds on behalf of Garden State to build the proposed WACI-TV.<ref name="Phil900525">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-phila-firm-ac/153948634/|date=May 25, 1990|pages=16-C, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-sec-sues-phila/153948626/ 21-C]|first=Richard|last=Burke|title=Phila. firm accused over investments|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 27, 2024|archive-date=August 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240830014841/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-phila-firm-ac/153948634/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->
Prior to the station's formal sign-on, channel 62's original owners held a [[construction permit]] under the WDKZ call letters beginning on September 9, 1987, which subsequently changed to WACI that same year. In 2000, the callsign on the license was changed to WPHA. The station formally signed on the air as WWSI on January 17, 2001, originally licensed to [[Atlantic City, New Jersey]], with transmitter in [[Waterford Township, New Jersey|Waterford Township]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Local Spanish TV channel on air|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courierpostonline/access/1841878471.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Feb+02%2C+2001&author=&pub=Courier+Post&desc=Local+Spanish+TV+channel+on+air&pqatl=google|access-date=29 March 2013|newspaper=[[Courier-Post]]|date=2 February 2001}}</ref> It acquired the Telemundo affiliation for the Philadelphia [[media market|market]] (originally seen on [[Wilmington, Delaware]]-based WTGI—channel 61, now [[Ion Television]] owned-and-operated station [[WPPX-TV]]—until 1998, then [[WTVE]]—channel 51—in [[Reading, Pennsylvania]] from 1998 to 2000). WWSI launched its website in 2007.


Council Tree Communications filed to acquire a majority stake in the construction permit in 1999.<ref name="Pres990805">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/press-of-atlantic-city-public-notice/153939900/|date=August 5, 1999|page=C7|title=Public Notice|newspaper=Press of Atlantic City|location=Atlantic City, New Jersey|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 27, 2024|archive-date=August 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240830014841/https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-of-atlantic-city-public-notice/153939900/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> Council Tree was a [[Longmont, Colorado]]–based firm in which one of the investors was an [[Alaska Native]]–owned corporation.<ref name="RMN000415">{{cite news|first=Steve|last=Caulk|title=Spanish TV Station Sold|page=4B|work=Rocky Mountain News|date=April 15, 2000}}</ref> During this time, construction on the station started and faced considerable difficulty. In May 2000, work on the tower along [[County Route 539 (New Jersey)|County Route 539]] in [[Little Egg Harbor Township]] briefly came to a halt as opponents objecting on radiation concerns claimed they had an injunction to stop it.<ref name="Asbu000511">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/asbury-park-press-tower-construction-sto/154127621/|date=May 11, 2000|pages=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/asbury-park-press-tower/154127759/ B4]|first=Bill|last=Mc Laughlin|title=Tower construction stopped: Opponents claim they have obtained an injunction|newspaper=Asbury Park Press|location=Asbury Park, New Jersey|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 27, 2024|archive-date=August 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240830014842/https://www.newspapers.com/article/asbury-park-press-tower-construction-sto/154127621/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> Opponents also decried its proximity to homes and claimed it did not receive proper zoning approval.<ref name="Pres000613">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/press-of-atlantic-city-leht-man-files-su/154127812/|date=June 13, 2000|page=C5|first=Gregory J.|last=Volpe|title=LEHT man files suit over cell tower|newspaper=Press of Atlantic City|location=Atlantic City, New Jersey|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 27, 2024|archive-date=August 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240830014846/https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-of-atlantic-city-leht-man-files-su/154127812/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> The dispute was in part resolved when Little Egg Harbor Township agreed to assume ownership of the tower when completed.<ref name="Asbu000628">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/asbury-park-press-little-egg-oks-new-pla/154127962/|date=June 28, 2000|page=B2|first=Bill|last=Mc Laughlin|title=Little Egg OKs new plan to lease tower|newspaper=Asbury Park Press|location=Asbury Park, New Jersey|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 27, 2024|archive-date=August 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240830014842/https://www.newspapers.com/article/asbury-park-press-little-egg-oks-new-pla/154127962/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> This was key because it allowed for the exemption from planning board approval, though objectors continued to fight construction.<ref name="Pres000930">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/press-of-atlantic-city-leht-man-signals/154128225/|date=September 30, 2000|pages=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-of-atlantic-city-tower/154128299/ C3]|first=Gregory J.|last=Volpe|title=LEHT man signals opposition to cell tower|newspaper=Press of Atlantic City|location=Atlantic City, New Jersey|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 27, 2024|archive-date=August 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240830014842/https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-of-atlantic-city-leht-man-signals/154128225/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> Other objections concerned the potential danger to birds posed by the mast.<ref name="Pres001023">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/press-of-atlantic-city-danger-for-birds/153939757/|date=October 23, 2000|pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-of-atlantic-city-towers/153939726/ A10]|first=Jack|last=Kaskey|title=Danger for birds soon may tower over southern N.J.|newspaper=Press of Atlantic City|location=Atlantic City, New Jersey|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 27, 2024}}</ref><!-- Mon --> During the construction process, Council Tree had become involved in Spanish-language broadcasting, principally the [[Telemundo]] network. In April 2000, it acquired [[KRMZ|KSBS-TV]], the Telemundo affiliate for the [[Denver]] market,{{r|RMN000415}} and the firm moved to acquire a stake in the network four months later.<ref>{{cite news|title=Council Tree network share to grow: Longmont firm plans to buy stake in Spanish-TV Telemundo|date=August 15, 2000|page=A1|first=Robert|last=Schwab|work=The Denver Post}}</ref>
In January 2008, Hispanic Broadcasters Corporation agreed to sell WWSI to [[ZGS Communications]] for $10 million.<ref name="ZGS">{{cite web |url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6524007.html |title=Deals |access-date=2008-01-24 |work=Broadcasting & Cable }}</ref> The sale to ZGS was finalized on March 11 of that year.
[[File:Telemundo WWSI 62 2001 vector logo.svg|thumb|125px|The WWSI logo used from 2004 to 2012]]
After approximately six months of preparations,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/stories/2000/11/20/newscolumn6.html|work=Philadelphia Business Journal|date=November 20, 2000|first=Elizabeth|last=Bennett|title=Spanish-language TV station to debut in Phila.|access-date=August 28, 2024|archive-date=August 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240830015521/https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/stories/2000/11/20/newscolumn6.html|url-status=live}}</ref> channel 62 signed on as Telemundo affiliate WWSI on January 17<ref name="factbook">{{Cite book|title=Television and Cable Factbook|chapter=WWSI, WWSI-DT|pages=A-1455, A-1456|date=2006}}</ref> or 26, 2001.<ref name="Cour010202">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/courier-post-local-spanish-tv-channel-on/153940356/|date=February 2, 2001|pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/courier-post-wwsi/153940393/ 5A]|first=Vanessa|last=Colon|title=Local Spanish TV channel on air|newspaper=Courier-Post|location=Camden, New Jersey|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 27, 2024}}</ref><!-- Fri --> It restored the Telemundo network to the Philadelphia market after the previous affiliate, [[WTVE]] (channel 51), disaffiliated from the network at the start of 2000.<ref name="Phil991231">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-wtve-51-will-t/115543619/|date=December 31, 1999|pages=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-wtve-51-will-d/115543642/ C2]|first=Patricia|last=Horn|title=WTVE-51 will take Telemundo off the air|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 27, 2024|archive-date=August 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240830020024/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-wtve-51-will-t/115543619/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> It had local offices near [[Penn Treaty Park]] in Philadelphia and in [[Northfield, New Jersey]].<ref name="Pres010311">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/press-of-atlantic-city-spanish-tv-statio/153939794/|date=March 11, 2001|page=F2|title=Spanish TV station opens Northfield office|newspaper=Press of Atlantic City|location=Atlantic City, New Jersey|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 28, 2024|archive-date=August 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240830015901/https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-of-atlantic-city-spanish-tv-statio/153939794/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> Council Tree sold its ownership interest to [[NBC]] later in 2001 but did not relinquish WWSI.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/stories/2001/10/22/newscolumn3.html|first=Peter|last=Van Allen|date=October 22, 2001|work=Philadelphia Business Journal|title=For WWSI, Telemundo deal signals fiesta time|access-date=August 28, 2024|archive-date=August 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240830020025/https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/stories/2001/10/22/newscolumn3.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The station initiated digital broadcasting on channel 49 on November 1, 2002.{{r|factbook}} [[ZGS Communications]] acquired WWSI for $10 million in 2008.<ref name="ZGS">{{cite web |url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6524007.html |title=Deals |access-date=January 24, 2008 |work=Broadcasting & Cable }}</ref>


===NBCU ownership===
On March 21, 2013, [[NBCUniversal]] entered into an agreement to acquire WWSI from ZGS Communications for $20 million. Prior to the sale agreement, WWSI had been the largest station (in terms of market size) aligned with Telemundo that was not an owned-and-operated station of the network. The deal created a duopoly with NBC-owned Philadelphia station WCAU.<ref>[http://rbr.com/nbcuniversal-doubles-in-philadelphia-with-telemundo-outlet/ NBCUniversal doubles in Philadelphia with Telemundo outlet], ''Radio & Television Business Report'', March 21, 2013.</ref> The sale was completed on July 2.<ref>[http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/68674/telemundo-closes-on-purchase-of-wwsi Telemundo Closes On Purchase of WWSI] ''TVNewsCheck'', July 2, 2013</ref>
ZGS retained the station until agreeing to sell it to NBCUniversal for $20 million in a sale completed in July 2013. The deal created a [[Duopoly (broadcasting)|duopoly]] with NBC's Philadelphia station, [[WCAU]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://rbr.com/nbcuniversal-doubles-in-philadelphia-with-telemundo-outlet/|title=NBCUniversal doubles in Philadelphia with Telemundo outlet|work=Radio & Television Business Report|date=March 21, 2013|access-date=March 21, 2013|archive-date=August 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240830015902/https://rbr.com/nbcuniversal-doubles-in-philadelphia-with-telemundo-outlet/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/68674/telemundo-closes-on-purchase-of-wwsi|title=Telemundo Closes On Purchase of WWSI|work=TVNewsCheck|date=July 2, 2013}}</ref> Following the acquisition, NBC announced its intent to expand WCAU's news department to serve WWSI.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/72577/telemundos-wwsi-gets-ready-to-make-news|title=Telemundo's WWSI Gets Ready To Make News|website=TVNewsCheck|date=December 10, 2013}}</ref> It hired a total of 15 new employees,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/70384/wwsi-philly-hiring-15-to-launch-local-news|title=WWSI Philly Hiring 15 To Launch Local News|website=TVNewsCheck|date=September 11, 2013}}</ref> including bilingual reporters who filed stories for WCAU;{{r|Phil140113}} Ramón Luis Zayas, former news anchor of Telemundo's morning program ''[[Un Nuevo Día]]'', was named anchor of the evening newscasts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mediamoves.com/2013/10/zayas-named-anchor-of-upcoming-wwsi-newscast.html#sthash.jr23e58b.dpuf|title=Zayas to anchor upcoming Telemundo Philly newscast|website=Media Moves|date=October 21, 2013|access-date=October 21, 2013|archive-date=August 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240830020041/https://www.mediamoves.com/2013/10/zayas-named-anchor-of-upcoming-wwsi-newscast.html#sthash.jr23e58b.dpuf|url-status=live}}</ref> {{lang|es|Noticiero Telemundo 62}} began airing at 6 and 11&nbsp;p.m. on January 13, 2014, from WCAU's studios in [[Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania]].<ref name="Phil140113">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/philadelphia-daily-news-la-gran-historia/153940583/|date=January 13, 2014|pages=27, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/philadelphia-daily-news-noticiero/153940602/ 31]|first=Chuck|last=Darrow|title=La gran historia: NBC10 and WWSI-TV team to create a Spanish-language news program, starting today|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 28, 2024|archive-date=August 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240830015907/https://www.newspapers.com/article/philadelphia-daily-news-la-gran-historia/153940583/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon -->


After the news launch, WWSI has been included in several group-wide news expansions at Telemundo. In November 2014, the owned-and-operated stations launched news at 5:30&nbsp;p.m.,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Villafañe |first=Veronica |date=September 18, 2014 |title=Telemundo adds new 30 min newscast at 14 local stations |language=en-US |work=Media Moves |url=https://www.mediamoves.com/2014/09/telemundo-to-hire-30-to-launch-local-newscasts-at-14-stations.html |access-date=July 11, 2021 |archive-date=November 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130140053/https://www.mediamoves.com/2014/09/telemundo-to-hire-30-to-launch-local-newscasts-at-14-stations.html |url-status=live }}</ref> followed by 6 a.m. and noon newscasts on April 2, 2018.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/article/111898/telemundos-wwsi-adding-two-newscasts/|title=Telemundo's WWSI Adding Two Newscasts|last=Miller|first=Mark|date=March 12, 2018|work=TVNewsCheck|access-date=October 26, 2018}}</ref>
==News operation==
Following the acquisition of WWSI, NBCUniversal announced plans to develop a news department for the station, with plans to debut half-hour newscasts at 6 and 11 p.m. starting January 6, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/72577/telemundos-wwsi-gets-ready-to-make-news|title=Telemundo's WWSI Gets Ready To Make News|website=TVNewsCheck|date=December 10, 2013}}</ref>


NBCUniversal sold the spectrum of WWSI in the 2017 FCC [[spectrum reallocation]] incentive auction for $125.9 million.<ref name="tvnc-nbcspectrum">{{cite web|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/103245/nbc-makes-over-480-million-from-auction|title=NBC Makes Over $480 Million From Auction|work=TVNewsCheck|date=April 13, 2017|access-date=April 13, 2017|archive-date=July 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730080515/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/103245/nbc-makes-over-480-million-from-auction|url-status=dead}}</ref> WWSI continued broadcasting on the WCAU multiplex from its existing Philadelphia tower, and its city of license was changed to [[Mount Laurel, New Jersey]],<ref name="wcauwwsicsa">{{Cite web|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/enwiki/api/download/attachment/25076f915f0d91b4015f2741c7ff2f6e|title=All Purpose Exhibit for WWSI CP Application to Channel Share|website=Licensing and Management System|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|access-date=December 21, 2017|archive-date=August 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240830015908/https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/enwiki/api/download/attachment/25076f915f0d91b4015f2741c7ff2f6e|url-status=live}}</ref> an arrangement NBC believed would improve coverage.{{r|tvnc-nbcspectrum}} Prior to the auction, NBC and Telemundo were double-illuminated from each transmitter.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/enwiki/api/download/attachment/25076f9158ed3e690158fe5e402d00d6|date=December 13, 2016|first=Margaret L.|last=Tobey|title=PSIP Notifications for NBC Telemundo License LLC|website=Licensing and Management System|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|access-date=August 30, 2024|archive-date=August 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240830015910/https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/enwiki/api/download/attachment/25076f9158ed3e690158fe5e402d00d6|url-status=live}}</ref>
The newscasts, titled ''Noticiero Telemundo 62'' began on January 13, 2014, one week from the original planned start date. WWSI maintains its own control room, which then runs through [[WCAU]]'s main Digital Operations Center.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://articles.philly.com/2014-01-14/entertainment/46153137_1_news-programming-newscast-stations |title = Inquirer.com: Philadelphia local news, sports, jobs, cars, homes}}</ref>


WCAU and WWSI moved into floors 12 through 14 of the 59-story [[Comcast Technology Center]] in Philadelphia in 2018. With the new facility, the Telemundo side of the operation had a news studio nearly the same size as WCAU for the first time.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2018/10/11/a-first-look-at-nbc10s-new-home-at-the-comcast.html|url-access=subscription|title=A first look at NBC10's new home at the Comcast Technology Center|first=Jeff|last=Blumenthal|work=Philadelphia Business Journal|date=October 11, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/tech/article/nbc-philly-stations-make-big-leap-ip/|date=October 11, 2018|title=NBCU Philly Stations Make Big Leap To IP|work=TVNewsCheck}}</ref>
The station hired 15 staff members for its news operation (including journalists, reporters, producers, anchors and photographers).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/70384/wwsi-philly-hiring-15-to-launch-local-news|title=WWSI Philly Hiring 15 To Launch Local News|website=TVNewsCheck|date=September 11, 2013}}</ref> On October 21, 2013, WWSI announced the hirings of Claribel Collazo (previously with [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]] Telemundo affiliate [[WTMO]]) as its assistant [[news director]] and Ramón Luis Zayas, former news anchor of Telemundo's morning program ''[[Un Nuevo Día]],'' as anchor of the evening newscasts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mediamoves.com/2013/10/zayas-named-anchor-of-upcoming-wwsi-newscast.html#sthash.jr23e58b.dpuf|title=Zayas to anchor upcoming Telemundo Philly newscast|website=Media Moves|date=October 21, 2013}}</ref> On November 3, 2014, the 14 Telemundo O&O's, including WWSI, launched a 5:30&nbsp;p.m. newscast. This makes WWSI the first Spanish-language station in Philadelphia to have an hour-long evening newscast.


==Subchannels==
The station launched additional 6 a.m. and noon newscasts to lead into Telemundo's national morning and mid-day news programs on April 2, 2018.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/article/111898/telemundos-wwsi-adding-two-newscasts/|title=Telemundo's WWSI Adding Two Newscasts|last=Miller|first=Mark|date=12 March 2018|work=TVNewsCheck|access-date=26 October 2018}}</ref>
{{#section:WCAU|subs}}

On October 21, 2018, Telemundo 62 debuted its new studio in the new Comcast Technology Center, the same day that NBC 10 debuted its new studio.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newscaststudio.com/2018/10/25/nbc-10-telemundio-62-philadelphia-facility/|title = With 4K and IP, NBC 10 and Telemundo 62 Philadelphia debut upgrade}}</ref>

==Technical information==

===Subchannels===
{{for|other channels on this multiplex|WCAU#Subchannels}}
The station's digital signal is [[Multiplex (TV)|multiplexed]]:
{| class="wikitable"
|+Subchannels of WWSI<ref>[http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WWSI#station RabbitEars TV Query for WWSI]</ref>
! scope = "col" | [[Digital subchannel#United States|Channel]]
! scope = "col" | [[Display resolution|Res.]]
! scope = "col" | [[Aspect ratio (image)|Aspect]]
! scope = "col" | Short name
! scope = "col" | Programming
|-
! scope = "row" | 62.1
| [[1080i]] || [[16:9]] || WWSI-DT || Main WWSI programming / [[Telemundo]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 62.2
| [[480i]] || [[4:3]] || T-Xitos || [[TeleXitos]]<ref name=telexitos>{{cite web|last1=Malone|first1=Michael|title=Telemundo Station Group Launches Telexitos Multicast Net|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/local-tv/telemundo-station-group-launches-telexitos-multicast-net/135936|website=www.broadcastingcable.com|date=December 2014|publisher=NewBay Media, LLC|access-date=13 December 2014}}</ref>
|}

===Analog-to-digital conversion===
WWSI discontinued regular programming on its analog signal, over [[Ultra high frequency|UHF]] channel 62, on June 12, 2009, the official date on which full-power television stations in the United States [[Digital television transition in the United States|transitioned from analog to digital broadcasts]] under federal mandate. The station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition UHF channel 49.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and Second Rounds |access-date=2012-03-24}}</ref> Through the use of [[Program and System Information Protocol|PSIP]], digital television receivers display the station's [[virtual channel]] as its former UHF analog channel 62, which was among the high band UHF channels (52-69) that were removed from broadcasting use as a result of the transition. Until 2018, 49.3 (virtual 10.3) was utilized as a simulcast of WCAU. The sub-channel was signed on in order to keep NBC programming available in areas channel 10's main signal does not reach over the air after the network terminated their affiliation with [[Wildwood, New Jersey|Wildwood]]-licensed [[WMGM-TV]].

===Spectrum reallocation===
On April 13, 2017, it was revealed that WWSI's over-the-air spectrum had been sold in the FCC's [[spectrum reallocation]] auction, fetching $125.9 million. WWSI did not sign off, but is sharing broadcast spectrum with sister station WCAU.<ref name="wcauwwsicsa">[https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/enwiki/api/download/attachment/25076f915f0d91b4015f2741c7ff2f6e All Purpose Exhibit for WWSI CP Application to Channel Share]</ref> NBC stated that WCAU had a better signal than that of WWSI.<ref name="tvnc-nbcspectrum">{{cite web|title=NBC Makes Over $480 Million From Auction|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/103245/nbc-makes-over-480-million-from-auction|website=TVNewsCheck|date=13 April 2017|access-date=13 April 2017}}</ref> Because WCAU's signal does not sufficiently cover Atlantic City proper, WWSI changed its [[city of license]] from Atlantic City to [[Mount Laurel, New Jersey|Mount Laurel]].


==References==
==References==
Line 78: Line 54:


==External links==
==External links==
{{Category commons}}
* [https://www.telemundo62.com/ Official website]
* [https://www.telemundo62.com/ Official website]
* [https://www.telemundo.com/ Telemundo]
* [https://www.telexitos.com/ TeleXitos]


{{Philly TV}}
{{Philly TV}}
Line 88: Line 63:
{{NBCUniversal}}
{{NBCUniversal}}
{{Major U.S. TV O-O Stations}}
{{Major U.S. TV O-O Stations}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Wwsi}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wwsi}}
[[Category:2001 establishments in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Mount Laurel, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Spanish-language television stations in New Jersey|WSI]]
[[Category:Spanish-language television stations in Pennsylvania|WSI]]
[[Category:Telemundo Station Group]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 2001]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 2001]]
[[Category:Television stations in Philadelphia|WSI]]
[[Category:Television stations in Philadelphia|WSI]]
[[Category:Telemundo Station Group]]
[[Category:Spanish-language television stations in New Jersey|WSI]]
[[Category:2001 establishments in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Mount Laurel, New Jersey]]
[[Category:TeleXitos affiliates]]
[[Category:TeleXitos affiliates]]

Latest revision as of 00:33, 9 November 2024

WWSI
CityMount Laurel, New Jersey
Channels
BrandingTelemundo 62; Noticiero Telemundo 62
Programming
Affiliations
Ownership
Owner
History
First air date
January 17, 2001; 23 years ago (2001-01-17) (in Atlantic City, New Jersey; license moved to Mount Laurel in 2018)
Former call signs
  • WDKZ (1987–1989)
  • WACI (1989–2000)
  • WPHA (2000–2001)
Former channel number(s)
  • Analog: 62 (UHF, 2001–2009)
  • Digital: 49 (UHF, 2002–2018), 34 (UHF, 2018–2019)
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID23142
ERP745 kW
HAAT399.8 m (1,311.7 ft)
Transmitter coordinates40°2′30.1″N 75°14′10.1″W / 40.041694°N 75.236139°W / 40.041694; -75.236139
Links
Public license information
Websitewww.telemundo62.com

WWSI (channel 62) is a television station licensed to Mount Laurel, New Jersey, United States, serving as the Philadelphia-area outlet for the Spanish-language network Telemundo. It is owned and operated by NBCUniversal's Telemundo Station Group alongside NBC outlet WCAU (channel 10); it is also sister to regional sports network NBC Sports Philadelphia. The stations' studios are located in Comcast Technology Center on Arch Street in Center City, and they are broadcast from one transmitter in the Roxborough section of Philadelphia.

Channel 62 was assigned to Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1984 as part of a proceeding to improve local television service throughout the state. Garden State Communications obtained the construction permit in 1987, but construction activity only progressed in 2000, after Council Tree Communications bought a majority stake. The station signed on the air in January 2001 as a Telemundo affiliate, the first in the Philadelphia market in over a year, and aired little local programming first under Council Tree and later ZGS Communications ownership. In 2013, NBC acquired WWSI, which it has integrated with WCAU. This included the 2014 launch of local Spanish-language news and the 2018 move into the Comcast Technology Center. After selling the station's spectrum, WWSI began transmitting from WCAU's tower in 2018 and changed its city of license.

History

[edit]

Prehistory and construction

[edit]

In 1980, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposed assigning channel 62 to Atlantic City, New Jersey, as part of a proposal to improve television service in the state.[2] The proceeding and channel addition were finalized in 1984,[3] and in August 1986, the FCC designated a group of five applications for the channel for comparative hearing.[4] A settlement agreement was registered with the FCC in 1987, though Garden State Communications was not immediately granted the permit on the issue of short-spacing with other stations.[5] The permit remained dormant for the next decade. In 1990, the Securities and Exchange Commission sued a Philadelphia company for illegally raising funds on behalf of Garden State to build the proposed WACI-TV.[6]

Council Tree Communications filed to acquire a majority stake in the construction permit in 1999.[7] Council Tree was a Longmont, Colorado–based firm in which one of the investors was an Alaska Native–owned corporation.[8] During this time, construction on the station started and faced considerable difficulty. In May 2000, work on the tower along County Route 539 in Little Egg Harbor Township briefly came to a halt as opponents objecting on radiation concerns claimed they had an injunction to stop it.[9] Opponents also decried its proximity to homes and claimed it did not receive proper zoning approval.[10] The dispute was in part resolved when Little Egg Harbor Township agreed to assume ownership of the tower when completed.[11] This was key because it allowed for the exemption from planning board approval, though objectors continued to fight construction.[12] Other objections concerned the potential danger to birds posed by the mast.[13] During the construction process, Council Tree had become involved in Spanish-language broadcasting, principally the Telemundo network. In April 2000, it acquired KSBS-TV, the Telemundo affiliate for the Denver market,[8] and the firm moved to acquire a stake in the network four months later.[14]

The WWSI logo used from 2004 to 2012

After approximately six months of preparations,[15] channel 62 signed on as Telemundo affiliate WWSI on January 17[16] or 26, 2001.[17] It restored the Telemundo network to the Philadelphia market after the previous affiliate, WTVE (channel 51), disaffiliated from the network at the start of 2000.[18] It had local offices near Penn Treaty Park in Philadelphia and in Northfield, New Jersey.[19] Council Tree sold its ownership interest to NBC later in 2001 but did not relinquish WWSI.[20] The station initiated digital broadcasting on channel 49 on November 1, 2002.[16] ZGS Communications acquired WWSI for $10 million in 2008.[21]

NBCU ownership

[edit]

ZGS retained the station until agreeing to sell it to NBCUniversal for $20 million in a sale completed in July 2013. The deal created a duopoly with NBC's Philadelphia station, WCAU.[22][23] Following the acquisition, NBC announced its intent to expand WCAU's news department to serve WWSI.[24] It hired a total of 15 new employees,[25] including bilingual reporters who filed stories for WCAU;[26] Ramón Luis Zayas, former news anchor of Telemundo's morning program Un Nuevo Día, was named anchor of the evening newscasts.[27] Noticiero Telemundo 62 began airing at 6 and 11 p.m. on January 13, 2014, from WCAU's studios in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania.[26]

After the news launch, WWSI has been included in several group-wide news expansions at Telemundo. In November 2014, the owned-and-operated stations launched news at 5:30 p.m.,[28] followed by 6 a.m. and noon newscasts on April 2, 2018.[29]

NBCUniversal sold the spectrum of WWSI in the 2017 FCC spectrum reallocation incentive auction for $125.9 million.[30] WWSI continued broadcasting on the WCAU multiplex from its existing Philadelphia tower, and its city of license was changed to Mount Laurel, New Jersey,[31] an arrangement NBC believed would improve coverage.[30] Prior to the auction, NBC and Telemundo were double-illuminated from each transmitter.[32]

WCAU and WWSI moved into floors 12 through 14 of the 59-story Comcast Technology Center in Philadelphia in 2018. With the new facility, the Telemundo side of the operation had a news studio nearly the same size as WCAU for the first time.[33][34]

Subchannels

[edit]
Subchannels of WCAU and WWSI[35]
License Channel Res. Aspect Short name Programming
WCAU 10.1 1080i 16:9 WCAU-TV NBC
10.2 480i COZI-TV Cozi TV
10.3 CRIMES NBC American Crimes
10.4 OXYGEN Oxygen
WWSI 62.1 1080i WWSI-TV Telemundo
62.2 480i EXITOS TeleXitos


References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WWSI". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ "3 Networks Oppose UHF Affiliate Plan". Press of Atlantic City. Atlantic City, New Jersey. Associated Press. July 16, 1980. p. 18. Retrieved August 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Vineland Gets TV Channel". Press of Atlantic City. Atlantic City, New Jersey. Associated Press. June 28, 1984. p. 27. Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Notice". Press of Atlantic City. Atlantic City, New Jersey. September 4, 1986. p. 36. Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "In Contest". Broadcasting. August 3, 1987. p. 80. ProQuest 1014715205.
  6. ^ Burke, Richard (May 25, 1990). "Phila. firm accused over investments". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. pp. 16-C, 21-C. Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Public Notice". Press of Atlantic City. Atlantic City, New Jersey. August 5, 1999. p. C7. Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ a b Caulk, Steve (April 15, 2000). "Spanish TV Station Sold". Rocky Mountain News. p. 4B.
  9. ^ Mc Laughlin, Bill (May 11, 2000). "Tower construction stopped: Opponents claim they have obtained an injunction". Asbury Park Press. Asbury Park, New Jersey. pp. B1, B4. Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Volpe, Gregory J. (June 13, 2000). "LEHT man files suit over cell tower". Press of Atlantic City. Atlantic City, New Jersey. p. C5. Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ Mc Laughlin, Bill (June 28, 2000). "Little Egg OKs new plan to lease tower". Asbury Park Press. Asbury Park, New Jersey. p. B2. Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ Volpe, Gregory J. (September 30, 2000). "LEHT man signals opposition to cell tower". Press of Atlantic City. Atlantic City, New Jersey. pp. C1, C3. Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ Kaskey, Jack (October 23, 2000). "Danger for birds soon may tower over southern N.J." Press of Atlantic City. Atlantic City, New Jersey. pp. A1, A10. Retrieved August 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ Schwab, Robert (August 15, 2000). "Council Tree network share to grow: Longmont firm plans to buy stake in Spanish-TV Telemundo". The Denver Post. p. A1.
  15. ^ Bennett, Elizabeth (November 20, 2000). "Spanish-language TV station to debut in Phila". Philadelphia Business Journal. Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  16. ^ a b "WWSI, WWSI-DT". Television and Cable Factbook. 2006. pp. A-1455, A-1456.
  17. ^ Colon, Vanessa (February 2, 2001). "Local Spanish TV channel on air". Courier-Post. Camden, New Jersey. pp. 1A, 5A. Retrieved August 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ Horn, Patricia (December 31, 1999). "WTVE-51 will take Telemundo off the air". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. pp. C1, C2. Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ "Spanish TV station opens Northfield office". Press of Atlantic City. Atlantic City, New Jersey. March 11, 2001. p. F2. Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved August 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ Van Allen, Peter (October 22, 2001). "For WWSI, Telemundo deal signals fiesta time". Philadelphia Business Journal. Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  21. ^ "Deals". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved January 24, 2008.
  22. ^ "NBCUniversal doubles in Philadelphia with Telemundo outlet". Radio & Television Business Report. March 21, 2013. Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
  23. ^ "Telemundo Closes On Purchase of WWSI". TVNewsCheck. July 2, 2013.
  24. ^ "Telemundo's WWSI Gets Ready To Make News". TVNewsCheck. December 10, 2013.
  25. ^ "WWSI Philly Hiring 15 To Launch Local News". TVNewsCheck. September 11, 2013.
  26. ^ a b Darrow, Chuck (January 13, 2014). "La gran historia: NBC10 and WWSI-TV team to create a Spanish-language news program, starting today". Philadelphia Daily News. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. pp. 27, 31. Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved August 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. ^ "Zayas to anchor upcoming Telemundo Philly newscast". Media Moves. October 21, 2013. Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  28. ^ Villafañe, Veronica (September 18, 2014). "Telemundo adds new 30 min newscast at 14 local stations". Media Moves. Archived from the original on November 30, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  29. ^ Miller, Mark (March 12, 2018). "Telemundo's WWSI Adding Two Newscasts". TVNewsCheck. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
  30. ^ a b "NBC Makes Over $480 Million From Auction". TVNewsCheck. April 13, 2017. Archived from the original on July 30, 2017. Retrieved April 13, 2017.
  31. ^ "All Purpose Exhibit for WWSI CP Application to Channel Share". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission. Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  32. ^ Tobey, Margaret L. (December 13, 2016). "PSIP Notifications for NBC Telemundo License LLC". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission. Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  33. ^ Blumenthal, Jeff (October 11, 2018). "A first look at NBC10's new home at the Comcast Technology Center". Philadelphia Business Journal.
  34. ^ "NBCU Philly Stations Make Big Leap To IP". TVNewsCheck. October 11, 2018.
  35. ^ "Digital TV Market Listing for WCAU". RabbitEars.info. Retrieved January 26, 2017.
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