Talk:WEVU-CA
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WEVU-CA channel 4 (along with translator WBSP-CA channel 7) began in the late 80's as W07BR channel 7 (translator: W09BS channel 9). It was originally a part of the Channel America Television Network. In the early 90's they switched to American Independent Network (AIN). Around the mid-90's as they dropped AIN for Network One (N1) Television, WEVU TV channel 26 dropped their call letters for WZVN. Caloosa Television, then-owners of the low-power stations, picked up the WEVU calls for channel 7; it became WEVU-LP (W09BS had its call letters changed to WBSP-LP). They were billing the station as "The Real Channel 7" (this was as a result of WZVN billing itself as "ABC 7" after their cable channel placement; WEVU-LP was on cable channel 8 in the Fort Myers cable system).
In March of 1998, WTVK, which was the UPN affiliate, dropped UPN for WB. The original WB affiliate, MediaOne (now Comcast) Cable's "WB 10" (with faux calls of "WSWF") picked up UPN. However, not everyone in the market could get "TV 10" (as it was later called). Therefore, UPN made an affiliation deal with WEVU, which would allow for wider coverage.
It wasn't until later in 1998 when Caloosa Television made a deal with MediaOne, having the cable system take over programming duties. MediaOne dropped the faux calls of "WSWF" and replaced it with WEVU. Outside of UPN (which is the only thing in common), MediaOne replaced WEVU's non-network programming with their own, thus unifying the UPN affiliates in the market.
This working relationship lasted until midnight of September 01, 2004. This occurred shortly after Holston Valley Broadcasting (WEVU) struck a deal for carriage of WEVU (then known on-the-air as "UPN 8") on DirecTV. This forced WEVU to seek UPN programming via microwave from UPN O&O WTOG (now "CW 44") out of Saint Petersburg (FL). They would also air the three-hour E/I block from UPN 44. The rest of the time it was paid programming/infomercials. Comcast, meanwhile, continued business as usual. "UPN 8" now went by the faux call letters of "WNFM." WEVU was later picked up by DISH Network.
When UPN ended broadcasting in September 2006, WEVU filled the time slot with more paid programming/infomercials. By this time they were simulcasting the six o'clock news from Univision affiliate WUVF-CA. WEVU had also been purchased by Equity Broadcasting, owners of WUVF. Equity decided to rebroadcast WUVF on WEVU (since WUVF is not on DBS but WEVU is).
In 2007 Equity struck a deal with LatinAmerican Broadcasting to carry LAT TV on its group of stations beginning May 2007; WEVU was to be one of the stations. To this date (Feb 2008), WEVU is rebroadcasting WUVF. It is also reflected in the call announcements at the top of the hour. —Preceding unsigned comment added by LaGarza (talk • contribs) 21:28, 29 February 2008 (UTC)
