WMOR-TV
Encyclopedia
WMOR-TV is an independent television station in the Tampa Bay
television market (the Tampa
/St. Petersburg, Florida
DMA). It is licensed to Lakeland
, with studios in Tampa. The station is owned by the Hearst Corporation
.
WTMV's early studios were located in Lakeland on South Florida Avenue, on Lakeland's south side. After a brief period of broadcasting from the transmitter in Mulberry, the WTMV studios relocated to Tampa in the summer of 1988. The move brought WTMV to its present-day Hillsborough Avenue studios on Tampa's east side, a former headend office for Group W Cable
's Hillsborough County system.
WTMV became Tampa Bay's WB affiliate when that network launched, branding itself as "WB32". By then it ran cartoons, such as Scooby-Doo
, Biker Mice from Mars
, Captain Planet and the Planeteers
and The Flintstones
. It also ran sitcoms, such as Doogie Howser, M.D.
, Blossom
, The Wonder Years
and Too Close for Comfort
. It even ran talk shows, such as The Richard Bey Show
. It also even ran reality shows, such as Check It Out!, and it also aired movies. It was sold to Hearst in 1996, who changed the calls to WWWB-TV.
In 1998, WWWB lost its affiliation to WTTA
(channel 38) as a result of a larger nationwide deal between The WB and Sinclair Broadcast Group
. Sister station KCWB-TV in Kansas City
also lost its WB affiliation to a Sinclair station. WWWB changed its calls to WMOR-TV and rebranded itself as More TV 32—a moniker also adopted by its Kansas City sister (now known as KCWE
). Today WMOR-TV offers syndicated programming, talk, reality, sitcoms and movies. It is one of the few independent stations left in the country serving a major market.
In August 2008, the More TV 32 branding was dropped for a more simple TV 32, complete with a brand-new logo. This lasted until early 2011, when a new logo and "MOR" branding was adopted; to distance themselves from the earlier More TV branding, the station spells out "MOR", instead of saying it as a word.
. Before that, as WTMV, it showed occasional games of the Toronto Blue Jays
, including Nolan Ryan
's seventh career no-hitter in 1991
.
WMOR-TV, being owned by Hearst, has right of first refusal for local simulcasts of ESPN
-aired Monday Night Football
games involving the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
. ESPN is 20% owned by Hearst. The station, however, has waived the 2011 game against the Indianapolis Colts
to WFTS-TV
.
(channel 10 in North Pinellas County, due to WTSP
broadcasting on channel 10), Verizon FiOS
, and Comcast
Venice
; and on channel 4 on Comcast Sarasota
.
The station's digital channel is multiplexed:
Digital channels>
Channel
Video
Aspect
Programming
32.1
1080i
16:9
Main WMOR-TV programming
32.2
480i
4:3
This TV
32.3
Estrella TV
"ThisTV Tampa Bay" was launched in March 2009. It was followed by the launch of Hispanic network Estrella TV in September 2009.
The translators were shut down in June 2009, as WMOR's digital signal operates at a full million watts--equivalent to 5 million watts for an analog transmitter--and is more than sufficient to cover the entire market.
Tampa Bay Area
The Tampa Bay Area is the region of west central Florida adjacent to Tampa Bay. Definitions of the region vary. It is often considered equivalent to the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater Metropolitan Statistical Area defined by the United States Census Bureau. The Census Bureau currently...
television market (the Tampa
Tâmpa
Tâmpa may refer to several villages in Romania:* Tâmpa, a village in Băcia Commune, Hunedoara County* Tâmpa, a village in Miercurea Nirajului, Mureş County* Tâmpa, a mountain in Braşov city...
/St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. It is known as a vacation destination for both American and foreign tourists. As of 2008, the population estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau is 245,314, making St...
DMA). It is licensed to Lakeland
Lakeland, Florida
Lakeland is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States, located approximately midway between Tampa and Orlando along Interstate 4. According to the 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, the city had a population of 94,406...
, with studios in Tampa. The station is owned by the Hearst Corporation
Hearst Corporation
The Hearst Corporation is an American media conglomerate based in the Hearst Tower, Manhattan in New York City, New York, United States. Founded by William Randolph Hearst as an owner of newspapers, the company's holdings now include a wide variety of media...
.
History
The station began operation in April 1986 as WTMV, a music video channel known as V-32. Its owner and General Manager was former mayor of St. Petersburg Beach, Dan Johnson. WTMV began mixing in general entertainment by 1988 following its move to Tampa.WTMV's early studios were located in Lakeland on South Florida Avenue, on Lakeland's south side. After a brief period of broadcasting from the transmitter in Mulberry, the WTMV studios relocated to Tampa in the summer of 1988. The move brought WTMV to its present-day Hillsborough Avenue studios on Tampa's east side, a former headend office for Group W Cable
Bright House Networks
Bright House Networks is a cable television company, the seventh largest cable operator and the sixth largest traditional multiple system operator in the United States owned by Advance/Newhouse, headquartered in Syracuse, New York...
's Hillsborough County system.
WTMV became Tampa Bay's WB affiliate when that network launched, branding itself as "WB32". By then it ran cartoons, such as Scooby-Doo
Scooby-Doo
Scooby-Doo is an American media franchise based around several animated television series and related works produced from 1969 to the present day. The original series, Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, was created for Hanna-Barbera Productions by writers Joe Ruby and Ken Spears in 1969...
, Biker Mice from Mars
Biker Mice from Mars
Biker Mice from Mars is a science fiction animated series created by Rick Ungar that began airing in 1993 in the United States and lasted for three seasons before it was cancelled...
, Captain Planet and the Planeteers
Captain Planet and the Planeteers
Captain Planet is the title character of the series. In the beginning of the series, Gaia assembles a modern-day team of "Planeteers" from several nations...
and The Flintstones
The Flintstones
The Flintstones is an animated, prime-time American television sitcom that screened from September 30, 1960 to April 1, 1966, on ABC. Produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions, The Flintstones was about a working class Stone Age man's life with his family and his next-door neighbor and best friend. It...
. It also ran sitcoms, such as Doogie Howser, M.D.
Doogie Howser, M.D.
Doogie Howser, M.D. is an American television comedy-drama starring Neil Patrick Harris as a 16-year-old doctor who also faces the problems of being a normal teenager. Created by Steven Bochco and David E. Kelley, ABC aired the show from 1989 to 1993 for four seasons totaling 97 episodes.-Plot:Dr....
, Blossom
Blossom (TV series)
Blossom is an American sitcom broadcast on NBC from January 3, 1991 to May 22, 1995. The series stars Mayim Bialik as Blossom Russo, a teenage girl living with her father and two brothers. It was created by Don Reo.- Synopsis :...
, The Wonder Years
The Wonder Years
The Wonder Years is an American television comedy-drama created by Carol Black and Neal Marlens. It ran for six seasons on ABC from 1988 through 1993. The pilot aired on January 31, 1988 after ABC's coverage of Super Bowl XXII....
and Too Close for Comfort
Too Close for Comfort
Too Close for Comfort can refer to:* Too Close for Comfort * "Too Close for Comfort" , by Jerry Bock, George David Weiss, and Larry Holofcener* "Too Close for Comfort," a song by McFly on the album Wonderland...
. It even ran talk shows, such as The Richard Bey Show
Richard Bey
Richard Wayne Bey is an American talk show host. He was popular in the 1990s as host of The Richard Bey Show, a daytime talk show containing ordinary people's personal stories incorporated into entertaining competitive games....
. It also even ran reality shows, such as Check It Out!, and it also aired movies. It was sold to Hearst in 1996, who changed the calls to WWWB-TV.
WTTA
WTTA is the MyNetworkTV-affiliated television station for the Tampa Bay Area of Florida that is licensed to St. Petersburg. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 32 from a transmitter in Riverview. Owned by Bay Television, the station is operated by the Sinclair Broadcast...
(channel 38) as a result of a larger nationwide deal between The WB and Sinclair Broadcast Group
Sinclair Broadcast Group
The Sinclair Broadcast Group is an American telecommunications company that operates the largest number of local television stations in the United States. Headquartered in Hunt Valley, Maryland, it owns a total of 57 stations across the country in 35 primarily small and medium markets, many of...
. Sister station KCWB-TV in Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
also lost its WB affiliation to a Sinclair station. WWWB changed its calls to WMOR-TV and rebranded itself as More TV 32—a moniker also adopted by its Kansas City sister (now known as KCWE
KCWE
KCWE is the CW-affiliated television station for the Kansas City Metropolitan Area licensed to the Missouri side. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 31 from a transmitter at the East 23rd Street/Topping Avenue intersection in Kansas City, Missouri's Blue Valley section...
). Today WMOR-TV offers syndicated programming, talk, reality, sitcoms and movies. It is one of the few independent stations left in the country serving a major market.
In August 2008, the More TV 32 branding was dropped for a more simple TV 32, complete with a brand-new logo. This lasted until early 2011, when a new logo and "MOR" branding was adopted; to distance themselves from the earlier More TV branding, the station spells out "MOR", instead of saying it as a word.
Sportscasts
WWWB/WMOR was the original broadcast station of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays when it began play in 19981998 Major League Baseball season
*American League Championship Series MVP: David Wells**American League Division Series:*National League Championship Series MVP: Sterling Hitchcock**National League Division Series*All-Star Game, July 7 at Coors Field: American League, 13-8; Roberto Alomar, MVP...
. Before that, as WTMV, it showed occasional games of the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
, including Nolan Ryan
Nolan Ryan
Lynn Nolan Ryan, Jr. , nicknamed "The Ryan Express", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is currently principal owner, president and CEO of the Texas Rangers....
's seventh career no-hitter in 1991
1991 Major League Baseball season
-Awards and honors:*Most Valuable Player**Cal Ripken, Jr., Baltimore Orioles, SS **Terry Pendleton, Atlanta Braves, 3B *Cy Young Award**Roger Clemens, Boston Red Sox **Tom Glavine, Atlanta Braves *Rookie of the Year...
.
WMOR-TV, being owned by Hearst, has right of first refusal for local simulcasts of ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
-aired Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football is a live broadcast of the National Football League on ESPN. From to it aired on ABC. Monday Night Football was, along with Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Walt Disney anthology television series, one of the longest running prime time commercial network television series...
games involving the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
. ESPN is 20% owned by Hearst. The station, however, has waived the 2011 game against the Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
to WFTS-TV
WFTS-TV
WFTS, virtual channel 28, is the ABC affiliate television station for the Tampa-St. Petersburg, Florida market, owned by The E.W. Scripps Company. It broadcasts its digital signal on UHF channel 29. Its transmitter is located in Riverview, Florida.-History:...
.
Current carriage
On cable, WMOR can be seen on channel 12 on Bright House NetworksBright House Networks
Bright House Networks is a cable television company, the seventh largest cable operator and the sixth largest traditional multiple system operator in the United States owned by Advance/Newhouse, headquartered in Syracuse, New York...
(channel 10 in North Pinellas County, due to WTSP
WTSP
WTSP is a CBS-affiliated television station in St. Petersburg, Florida . It broadcasts its digital signal on VHF channel 10....
broadcasting on channel 10), Verizon FiOS
Verizon FiOS
Verizon FiOS is a bundled Internet access, telephone, and television service which operates over a fiber-optic communications network. It is offered in some areas of the United States by Verizon Communications. Verizon was one of the first major U.S...
, and Comcast
Comcast
Comcast Corporation is the largest cable operator, home Internet service provider, and fourth largest home telephone service provider in the United States, providing cable television, broadband Internet, and telephone service to both residential and commercial customers in 39 states and the...
Venice
Venice, Florida
Venice is a city in Sarasota County, Florida, United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2007 estimates, the city had a population of 21,015. It is noted for its large snowbird population. Its newspaper is the Venice Gondolier Sun...
; and on channel 4 on Comcast Sarasota
Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota is a city located in Sarasota County on the southwestern coast of the U.S. state of Florida. It is south of the Tampa Bay Area and north of Fort Myers...
.
Digital television
WMOR-TV broadcasts on digital channel 19.The station's digital channel is multiplexed:
Aspect ratio
The aspect ratio of a shape is the ratio of its longer dimension to its shorter dimension. It may be applied to two characteristic dimensions of a three-dimensional shape, such as the ratio of the longest and shortest axis, or for symmetrical objects that are described by just two measurements,...
This TV
This TV is a United States general entertainment television network, with a large emphasis in its programming on movies....
Estrella TV
Estrella TV is a Spanish-language television network owned by Liberman Broadcasting. The network launched September 14, 2009.-Affiliates:-Former Affiliates:-Controversy:...
"ThisTV Tampa Bay" was launched in March 2009. It was followed by the launch of Hispanic network Estrella TV in September 2009.
Repeaters
Prior to the end of analog broadcasting in the United States, WMOR operated three repeaters in the Tampa Bay area. Its transmitter is located farther east than the other Tampa Bay stations because of FCC rules requiring a station's transmitter to be within 15 miles (24.1 km) of its city of license—in this case, Lakeland, which is 56 miles (90.1 km) east of St. Petersburg and 34 miles (54.7 km) east of Tampa. Hence, the repeaters were necessary to reach as much of the most-populated areas as possible. The station's former translators were:- WMOR-LP, St. PetersburgSt. Petersburg, FloridaSt. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. It is known as a vacation destination for both American and foreign tourists. As of 2008, the population estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau is 245,314, making St...
(channel 63) - W56CN, VeniceVenice, FloridaVenice is a city in Sarasota County, Florida, United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2007 estimates, the city had a population of 21,015. It is noted for its large snowbird population. Its newspaper is the Venice Gondolier Sun...
(channel 56) - W18DB, Port RicheyPort Richey, FloridaPort Richey is a city in Pasco County, Florida, United States. It is a suburban city included in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 3,021 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is...
(channel 18)
The translators were shut down in June 2009, as WMOR's digital signal operates at a full million watts--equivalent to 5 million watts for an analog transmitter--and is more than sufficient to cover the entire market.