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{{Short description|Television station in Evansville, Indiana}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2025}}
{{Infobox television station
| callsign
| logo
| logo_alt
|
| image
| image_alt = The Fox wordmark next to a blue 44 with a thin line and the words "W E V V Evansville" beneath.
|
|
| digital
| virtual = 44
| translators = WEEV-LD 47.1 Evansville (44.2)
| affiliations = {{ubl|'''44.1:''' [[CBS]]|'''44.2:''' [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]]/[[MyNetworkTV]]|''for others, see {{section link||Subchannels}}''}}
| owner = {{ubl|[[Allen Media Group]]|''(sale to [[Gray Media]] pending{{r|grayallen}})''}}
| licensee
| ___location = [[Evansville, Indiana]]
| country = United States
| sister_stations =
| airdate = {{start date and age|1983|11|17|p=y}}
| callsign_meaning = Evansville ("EVV" is also the [[IATA airport code|IATA code]] for [[Evansville Regional Airport]])
| former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|'''Analog:''' 44 (UHF, 1983–2009)|'''Digital:''' 45 (UHF, 2006–2019)}}
| former_affiliations = {{ubl|[[Independent station|Independent]] (1983–1987)|Fox (1987–1995)}}
| erp = 243 [[kW]]
| haat = {{convert|310.7|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| facility_id = 72041
| coordinates = {{coord|37|53|17.2|N|87|32|37|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}
| licensing_authority = [[FCC]]
| website = {{URL|www.wevv.com}}
}}
'''WEVV-TV''' (channel 44) is a [[television station]] in [[Evansville, Indiana]], United States, affiliated with [[CBS]], [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]], and [[MyNetworkTV]]. Owned by [[Allen Media Group]], the station maintains studios on Carpenter and Bond streets in downtown Evansville and a transmitter at [[John James Audubon State Park]] in [[Henderson, Kentucky]].
WEVV-TV began broadcasting on November 17, 1983, as an [[independent station]]. Put on the air by local investors, it was owned from 1985 to 1999 by [[Ralph C. Wilson]] Industries. The station became affiliated with Fox in 1986, moved to new downtown studio facilities in 1990, and launched a local news department in 1992, initially providing the market's first 9 p.m. local newscast. In 1995, a three-station affiliation switch resulted in WEVV becoming a CBS affiliate. Wilson sold the station to [[Communications Corporation of America]] (ComCorp) in 1999; it was ComCorp's only broadcast property outside of Texas and Louisiana. The news department was shuttered due to low ratings in July 2001.
In 2011, an affiliation dispute led to WEVV becoming the Fox affiliate again, this time on its 44.2 subchannel. After [[Bayou City Broadcasting]] acquired WEVV in 2014, it moved the station into its present facilities and relaunched local news in August 2015. Allen acquired the station in 2019. WEVV produces local newscasts for air on its CBS and Fox subchannels.
==Early years==
===Construction and launch===
South Central Broadcasting, the owner of [[Evansville, Indiana|Evansville]] radio station [[WIKY-FM|WIKY]], applied to the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) in November 1978 for authority to build a new commercial TV station in Evansville on channel 44.<ref name="Evan781115">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-press-city-may-get-a-new-tele/176170638/|date=November 15, 1978|pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-press-new-tv-station/176170659/ 11]|first=L. D.|last=Seits|title=City may get a new television station|newspaper=The Evansville Press|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Wed --> South Central planned an [[independent station]] heavy on sports coverage and possibly featuring a news department.<ref name="Evan781117">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-courier-and-press-channel-44/176170704/|date=November 17, 1978|page=21|first=Scott|last=Hill|title=Channel 44 plans live meeting, sports telecasts|newspaper=Evansville Courier|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Fri --> However, as the owner of an existing radio station, South Central needed a waiver to own a UHF TV station and a radio station in the same market.<ref name="Evan781116">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-courier-and-press-new-tv-stat/99419775/|date=November 16, 1978|page=9|first=Scott|last=Hill|title=New TV station hinges on waiving of FCC rule|newspaper=The Evansville Courier|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Thu --> At the deadline in May 1979, Family TV, Inc. applied for the channel. They proposed a family-oriented station emphasizing programming free of sex and violence as well as sports.<ref name="Evan790516">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-press-2nd-group-petitions-for/176170737/|date=May 16, 1979|page=1|title=2nd group petitions for Channel 44 rights|newspaper=The Evansville Press|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Wed --> Though one of its organizers was a reverend, the proposed Family TV station would not be religious in character.<ref name="Evan790529">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-courier-and-press-family-tv-i/99419825/|date=May 29, 1979|page=13|first=Scott|last=Hill|title=Family TV Inc. to compete for channel 44 rights|newspaper=The Evansville Courier|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Tue --> Believing it would have a hard time at [[comparative hearing]] because of its need to seek a waiver in a costly proceeding, South Central withdrew its application in November 1980.<ref name="Evan801114">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-press-field-is-left-open-for/176171066/|date=November 14, 1980|page=7|title=Field is left open for TV applicant|newspaper=The Evansville Press|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Fri -->
Family TV had not built the station by July 1982, when Dick Shively was hired to help start the operation. Shively's extensive experience in broadcasting, including in Evansville, was deemed necessary because lenders were unwilling to lend capital to the company due to its lack of track record.<ref name="Evan820711">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-courier-and-press-new-station/176171186/|date=July 11, 1982|page=The Sunday Look 33|first=Bill|last=Greer|title=New station aims at New Year's Day|newspaper=Sunday Courier and Press|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Sun --> In early 1983, Shively and two other investors acquired 49 percent of the construction permit, which then bore the [[call sign]] WAFV ("American Family Viewing"<ref name="Evan861102">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-press-station-moves-long-way/176172142/|date=November 2, 1986|page=TVideo 2|first=Sandra|last=Knipe|title=Station moves long way since start: Programs, resources strengthen|newspaper=The Sunday Courier|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Sun -->). With its new investors, channel 44 secured the rights to telecast [[Evansville Purple Aces]] athletic events, beating out [[NBC]] affiliate [[WFIE]] (channel 14) by offering to air more basketball games.<ref name="Evan830401">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-press-new-tv-station-going-on/176171265/|date=April 1, 1983|pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-press-new-tv-station-coming/176171240/ 3]|first1=L. D.|last1=Seits|first2=Mark|last2=Kroeger|title=New TV station going on the air|newspaper=The Evansville Press|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Fri --> Shively also arranged for the call sign to be changed to WEVV, over the objections of [[WEHT]].<ref name="Evan830901">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-press-a-matter-of-letters-tv/176171476/|date=September 1, 1983|page=21|first=John|last=Reiter|title=A matter of letters: TV stations clash on new name for Channel 44|newspaper=The Evansville Press|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Thu --><ref name="Evan830915">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-press-its-official-station/176171503/|date=September 15, 1983|page=17|title=It's official: Station is WEVV|newspaper=The Evansville Press|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Thu --> The transfer of partial ownership and a loan agreement were not timely notified to the FCC, resulting in a fine assessed in 1984.<ref name="Evan840531">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-press-federal-agency-slaps-2/176171980/|date=May 31, 1984|page=20|title=Federal agency slaps $2,000 fine on WEVV|newspaper=The Evansville Press|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Thu -->
After the first attempt to sign on November 10 was scrapped due to moisture in the transmission line,<ref name="Evan831112">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-courier-and-press-problems-de/176171740/|date=November 12, 1983|page=15|title=Problems delay Ch. 44's debut|newspaper=The Evansville Courier|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Sat --> WEVV debuted on November 17, 1983.<ref name="Evan831118">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-press-its-a-miracle-new-e/176171875/|date=November 18, 1983|page=14|first=Bill|last=Crowe|title='It's a miracle': New Evansville TV station debuts after week's delay|newspaper=The Evansville Press|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Fri --> It had offices in the Executive Inn in Evansville<ref name="Evan830815">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-courier-and-press-channel-44/176171429/|date=August 15, 1983|page=9|first=Mike|last=Belwood|title=Channel 44 staying tuned to sign-on hope|newspaper=The Evansville Courier|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Mon --> and a transmitter site south of the [[Ohio River]] {{convert|5|mi|km|spell=in}} east of [[U.S. Route 41 in Kentucky|U.S. 41]] in Kentucky.<ref name="Evan830926">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-courier-and-press-going-up/176171531/|date=September 26, 1983|page=9|title=Going up|newspaper=The Evansville Courier|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Mon --> Its programming consisted of cartoons, syndicated programs, and movies.<ref name="Evan831019">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-press-channel-44-lineup-looks/176171600/|date=October 19, 1983|page=9|first=Bill|last=Crowe|title=Channel 44 lineup looks quite interesting|newspaper=The Evansville Press|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Wed -->
===Ralph Wilson ownership, Fox affiliation and news launch===
After receiving several offers, ownership sold WEVV to [[Ralph C. Wilson]] Industries of Detroit, the owner of the [[Buffalo Bills]] of the NFL, for $4.36 million in a deal announced in 1985.<ref name="Evan851004">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-press-detroit-company-to-buy/176172031/|date=October 4, 1985|page=15|title=Detroit company to buy WEVV|newspaper=Evansville Press|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Fri --><ref>{{Cite news|title=Changing Hands|id={{ProQuest|1014726120}}|date=November 18, 1985|work=Broadcasting|page=101}}</ref> After Wilson closed on the purchase in February 1986,<ref name="Evan860224">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-press-channel-44s-new-owners/176172069/|date=February 24, 1986|page=13|first=Stan|last=Clark|title=Channel 44's new owners plan to construct Evansville facilities|newspaper=The Evansville Press|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Mon --> the station began airing newer movies and updated its image alongside acquiring new equipment. However, that same year, WEVV lost the bidding for Purple Aces athletics to WFIE.<ref name="Evan860413">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-press-wevv-hopes-newer-films/129917741/|date=April 13, 1986|pages=Sunday TV Week 11, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-press-wevv/129917755/ 23], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-press-wevv/129917764/ 25]|title=WEVV hopes newer films will draw more viewers|newspaper=Sunday Courier and Press|first=Roger|last=Boyd|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Sun --> The station affiliated with the [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] network upon its October 1986 launch.{{r|Evan861102}}
From the moment Wilson purchased WEVV, the company sought to build studios in a high-visibility area of Evansville to raise channel 44's profile alongside increased community involvement.{{r|Evan860224}}<ref name="Evan860302">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-press-new-owners-plan-to-inve/176172089/|date=March 2, 1986|page=The Sunday Look 23|first=Roger|last=Boyd|title=New owners plan to invest in their WEVV acquisition|newspaper=Sunday Courier & Press|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Sun --> The company scouted several sites before choosing a downtown property at Main Street and Riverside Drive.<ref name="Evan880305">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-courier-and-press-channel-44/176172174/|date=March 5, 1988|page=13|title=Channel 44 considers new building on Evansville's downtown riverfront|newspaper=The Evansville Courier|first=Mark|last=Kroeger|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Sat --> Plans were approved in February 1989, in spite of a consultant report that riverfront development be more engaging with the waterfront than WEVV planned,<ref name="Evan890210">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-courier-and-press-wevv-mayor/176183764/|date=February 10, 1989|pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-courier-and-press-wevv/176183782/ 3]|title=WEVV, mayor tune out riverfront advice: Studios will go up though study said select elsewhere|newspaper=The Evansville Courier|first=James|last=Derk|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Fri --> The station moved into the studios at 44 Main Street in January 1990.<ref name="Evan900117">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-courier-and-press-wevv-buildi/176172317/|date=January 17, 1990|page=B7|first=Rebecca J.|last=Coudret|title=WEVV building full of 'pride'|newspaper=The Evansville Courier|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Wed --> Station management hoped that the new, {{convert|14000|ft2|m2|adj=on}} facility would help the station capture more commercial production business.<ref name="Evan900202">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-courier-and-press-wevv-seeks/176172401/|date=February 2, 1990|page=C5|first=Dave|last=DeWitte|title=WEVV seeks larger market share: Move to new building enhances production capabilities, equipment|newspaper=The Evansville Courier|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Fri -->
The new studio facility was also home to a major expansion. General manager Skip Simms, who had desired to add news since he assumed the position in 1989 and had tried to do so sooner,<ref name="Evan900830">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-courier-and-press-ch-44-plan/176185410/|date=August 30, 1990|page=B11|first=Rebecca|last=Coudret|title=Ch. 44 plans to introduce local newscast in first half of 1991|newspaper=The Evansville Courier|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Thu --> announced in October 1991 that the station would produce an hour-long 9 p.m. local newscast on weeknights.<ref name="Evan911019">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-courier-and-press-channel-44/176184085/|date=October 19, 1991|page=B6|first=Rebecca|last=Coudret|title=Channel 44 sets late February as goal for having own newscast on the air|newspaper=The Evansville Courier|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Sat --> At the time, nearby large-market Fox affiliates in [[Indianapolis]] ([[WXIN]]) and [[Louisville, Kentucky|Louisville]] ([[WDRB]]) had both started newscasts in recent years.<ref name="Mess920222">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/messenger-inquirer-fox-prepares-news-at/176184014/|date=February 22, 1992|page=1B|first=Stewart|last=Jennison|title=Fox prepares News at Nine debut|newspaper=Messenger-Inquirer|___location=Owensboro, Kentucky|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Sat --> ''Fox 44 News at 9'' debuted on February 23, 1992. WEVV, with the first new local news department in Evansville since [[WTVW]] (channel 7) began broadcasting in 1956, aimed to deliver longer-form, more detail-oriented stories on local news and issues.<ref name="Evan920223">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-courier-and-press-a-news-vent/176184031/|date=February 23, 1992|pages=F1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-courier-and-press-news/176184043/ F2]|first=Rebecca J.|last=Coudret|title=A News Venture: WEVV-Ch. 44 is starting a program intended to bring depth to television news|newspaper=The Evansville Courier|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Sun --> In April 1993, WEVV expanded to Sunday night news; the 30-minute program was higher-rated, leading the station to change its weeknight newscasts to a half-hour two months later.<ref name="Evan930619">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-courier-and-press-foxs-chann/176184527/|date=June 19, 1993|page=B6|first=Rebecca J.|last=Coudret|title=Fox's Channel 44 cutting hourlong weeknight news to half-hour|newspaper=The Evansville Courier|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Sat -->
WEVV expanded in 1993 by starting a new low-power TV station with programming focused on sports: [[WYYW-CD|W63BT]] "TSN", specializing in sports programming.<ref name="Evan931216">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-press-ues-former-star-sub-ho/176173666/|date=December 16, 1993|page=29|first=Chuck|last=Fields|title=UE's former star sub hoping to score big in color commentary|newspaper=The Evansville Press|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Thu --><ref name="Evan930928">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-press-former-ace-blunk-hired/176173637/|date=September 28, 1993|page=17|title=Former Ace Blunk hired by TSN|newspaper=The Evansville Press|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Tue -->
==As a CBS affiliate==
===Switch to CBS===
In May 1995, Banam Broadcasting, a subsidiary of [[BankAmerica]], sold WTVW to Petracom Broadcasting.<ref name="mw-saletopetracom">{{cite news|id={{Gale|A16830251}}|title=Fox eyes Evansville station|last=Miles|first=Laureen|date=May 15, 1995|work=[[Mediaweek (American magazine)|Mediaweek]]|publisher=BPI Publications}}</ref> Fox then acquired a 20% equity stake in Petracom,<ref name="bc-petracomfox">{{cite news|page=77|first=Julie A.|last=Zier|title=Fox buys interest in group owner|date=May 22, 1995|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable]]|id={{ProQuest|1016945437}}|publisher=[[Reed Business Information|Cahners Business Information]]}}</ref> Even though WEVV's Fox affiliation agreement did not expire until December 1998,<ref name="Evan950517">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-courier-and-press-ch-7-sale/123721412/|date=May 17, 1995|page=A1|first=Rebecca|last=Coudret|title=Ch. 7 sale may make it a Fox: Ch. 25 affiliation could change, too|newspaper=The Evansville Courier|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Wed --> an affiliation switch was underway. WEHT, the CBS affiliate, moved to acquire the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] affiliation vacated by WTVW. That left [[CBS]] without an affiliate in the market<ref name="Evan950519">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-press-affiliate-shuffle-is-be/123721458/|date=May 19, 1995|page=12|first=Sandra|last=Knipe|title=Affiliate shuffle is beginning: Sale of WTVW-Ch. 7 awaits FCC approval|newspaper=The Evansville Press|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025|archive-date=December 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241208010540/https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-press-affiliate-shuffle-is-be/123721458/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> until it signed an affiliation agreement with WEVV at the end of June.<ref name="Evan950701">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-courier-and-press-ch-44-gets/176185017/|date=July 1, 1995|page=A1|first=Rebecca J.|last=Coudret|title=Ch. 44 gets CBS on Dec. 4|newspaper=The Evansville Courier|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Sat -->
The switch took place December 4, 1995.<ref name="Evan951205">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-courier-and-press-little-nois/176173970/|date=December 5, 1995|page=B5|first=Rebecca J.|last=Coudret|title=Little noise made as Great Switch thrown|newspaper=Evansville Courier and Press|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Tue --> However, some CBS programs moved to channel 44 earlier as WEHT dropped them to pick up ABC programming dropped by WTVW. Programs including ''[[The Price Is Right]]'', ''[[The Late Late Show (American talk show)|The Late Late Show]]'', and ''[[CBS This Morning]]'' moved to channel 44 earlier than other CBS shows.<ref name="Evan950916">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-courier-and-press-price-fin/176185061/|date=September 16, 1995|page=B7|first=Rebecca J.|last=Coudret|title='Price' finds support is right at 44|newspaper=The Evansville Courier|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Sat --><ref name="Evan951014">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-courier-and-press-station-jug/176185137/|date=October 14, 1995|page=B10|first=Rebecca J.|last=Coudret|title=Station juggling fouls up TV schedules|newspaper=The Evansville Courier|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Sat --> Many syndicated programs channel 44 no longer had time to air with its commitments to CBS's larger program lineup were moved to TSN.<ref name="Evan950914">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-courier-and-press-channel-25/176172849/|date=September 14, 1995|page=B7|first=Rebecca J.|last=Coudret|title=Channel 25 picks up ABC shows|newspaper=The Evansville Courier|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Thu -->
Switching to CBS also brought changes to the news department. The station did not air a 6 p.m. newscast, presenting an early report at 5 p.m. and counterprogramming the other stations with reruns of ''[[The Simpsons]]''.{{r|Evan951205}} The early news-and-interviews program, known as ''44 at 5'', fared poorly in the ratings and was converted to a regular 5 p.m. newscast in July 1996.<ref name="Evan960706">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-courier-and-press-anchor-patm/176185251/|date=July 6, 1996|page=B8|first=Rich|last=Davis|title=Anchor Patmythes fired from WEVV-Ch. 44|newspaper=The Evansville Courier|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Sat --> From 1995 to 1998, WEVV and [[Owensboro, Kentucky]]–based Century Communications collaborated on a 9 p.m., cable-only newscast covering Owensboro news.<ref name="Mess981002">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/messenger-inquirer-century-wevv-pull-th/176185232/|date=October 2, 1998|pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/messenger-inquirer-tv/176185237/ 2A]|first=Dave|last=DeWitte|title=Century, WEVV pull the plug on city's only TV newscast|newspaper=Messenger-Inquirer|___location=Owensboro, Kentucky|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Fri -->
===ComCorp ownership and news department shutdown===
With a market bearing high prices for television stations, Ralph C. Wilson hired a broker to analyze the sale of WEVV in September 1998.<ref name="Evan980924">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-press-evansville-tv-station-u/176172282/|date=September 24, 1998|page=19|title=Evansville TV station up for sale|newspaper=The Evansville Press|first=Mel|last=Runge|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Thu --> [[Communications Corporation of America]] (ComCorp) acquired the station in February 1999 for $27.5 million, marking the company's only broadcast holding outside the states of Texas and Louisiana<ref name="Evan990227">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-courier-and-press-wevv-televi/176174228/|date=February 27, 1999|page=A1|first=Tom|last=Raithel|title=WEVV television station to be sold for $27.5 million|newspaper=Evansville Courier and Press|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Sat -->
WEVV-TV shut down its news department on the afternoon of July 17, 2001. ComCorp management found that the ratings performance for news had fallen below the entertainment programming the station offered: ComCorp spokesman Tim Lynch told the ''[[Evansville Courier & Press]]'', "It was just a decision we made, and it's kind of a situation where the viewing public in Evansville has said that they love our entertainment programming. They did not like our news." Forty employees were dismissed, some of them having an inkling that the news department was receiving fewer and fewer resources.<ref name="Evan010718">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-courier-and-press-wevv-pulls/176174086/|date=July 18, 2001|pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-courier-and-press-cbs44/176174107/ A10]|first=Joe|last=Atkinson|title=WEVV pulls the plug on station's news operations|newspaper=Evansville Courier and Press|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Wed -->
ComCorp put its stations on the market in 2005 ahead of filing for [[Chapter 11 bankruptcy]] protection the next year, unable to reach debt repayment deals with its lenders.<ref name="Evan060610">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-courier-and-press-wevv-cbs44/176174261/|date=June 10, 2006|page=B1|title=WEVV-CBS44 files bankruptcy: Day-to-day operations won't be affected|newspaper=Evansville Courier and Press|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Sat --> That August, WEVV began broadcasting a digital [[High-definition television|high-definition]] signal. WTSN-LP, which became a [[MyNetworkTV]] affiliate, was broadcast as subchannel 44.2.<ref>{{Cite news|page=B9|first=Carol|last=Wersich|title=WEVV-CBS now broadcasting in high definition|work=Evansville Courier & Press|id={{ProQuest|331211202}}|date=August 16, 2006}}</ref> WTSN and WEVV parted ways in 2009, with the former becoming an [[America One]] affiliate.<ref>{{cite news|title=TV got a whole lot more interesting with digital switch|work=Evansville Courier & Press|first=Jacob|last=Newkirk|id={{ProQuest|2585007401}}|date=September 9, 2009|page=B1}}</ref><ref name="Evan091231">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-courier-and-press-digital-tra/176174567/|date=December 31, 2009|page=B8|first=Jacob|last=Newkirk|title=Digital transition set tone for year in local television|newspaper=Evansville Courier and Press|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Thu -->
WEVV-TV ended regular programming on its analog signal, over [[UHF]] channel 44, on June 12, 2009, the official [[Digital television transition in the United States|digital television transition date]].<ref name="Evan090611">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-courier-and-press-digital-tv/176187317/|date=June 11, 2009|page=4|title=Digital TV switch set for Friday: Local stations are ready... are you?|newspaper=Evansville Courier and Press|___location=Evansville, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 8, 2025}}</ref><!-- Thu --> The station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition UHF channel 45.<ref name="Analog to Digital">{{Cite web |date=May 23, 2006 |title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and Second Rounds |url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829004251/http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |archive-date=August 29, 2013 |access-date=August 29, 2021 |publisher=Federal Communications Commission|page=11}}</ref>
==As a dual affiliate==
[[File:Logo wevv fox44.png|165px|thumb|right|WEVV-DT2's first logo as "Fox 44", used from July 1, 2011, to July 1, 2015.]]
In 2010, Fox and [[Nexstar Media Group|Nexstar Broadcasting Group]], owner of WTVW, entered into a dispute over affiliation fees. Nexstar and Fox were in negotiations for nearly a year as Fox sought further fees to give it a share of stations' [[retransmission consent]] earnings, a practice to which some station groups objected.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/fox-playing-hardball-with-balky-affils/|date=May 11, 2011|first=Price|last=Colman|work=TVNewsCheck|title=Fox Playing Hardball With Balky Affils|access-date=February 12, 2023|archive-date=February 12, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212010040/https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/fox-playing-hardball-with-balky-affils/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Malone |first=Michael |url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/468137-Fox_Inks_New_Affiliation_Agreements_Scraps_Others.php |title=Fox Inks New Affiliation Agreements, Scraps Others|work= Broadcasting & Cable |access-date=September 24, 2018 |archive-date=May 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515082820/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/468137-Fox_Inks_New_Affiliation_Agreements_Scraps_Others.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> On May 11, 2011, Fox announced it had signed a new affiliation agreement to move its programming to the 44.2 subchannel of WEVV effective July 1.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.courierpress.com/business/no-headline-12affiliates|title=FOX ends affiliation with WTVW|last=Newkirk|first=Jacob|date=May 11, 2011|website=Evansville Courier & Press|publisher=[[E. W. Scripps Company]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150720182628/http://www.courierpress.com/business/no-headline-12affiliates|archive-date=July 20, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.evansvilleliving.com/articles/the-big-switch|title=The Big Switch|last=Boxell|first=Bob|date=November 2011|website=Evansville Living|access-date=July 16, 2015|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924004242/http://www.evansvilleliving.com/articles/the-big-switch|url-status=live}}</ref> To provide a high-definition feed of the 44.2 subchannel to antenna viewers in Evansville, [[Henderson, Kentucky|Henderson]], and Owensboro, as well as and cable and satellite providers, WEVV-TV activated low-power station W47EE-D ahead of the affiliation switch. What had been known as My44 became Fox44 with the switch,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.courierpress.com/entertainment/fox-moves-to-wevv-hd-available-on-low-power|title=Fox moves to WEVV, HD available on low-power channel|last=Newkirk|first=Jacob|date=June 29, 2011|website=Evansville Courier & Press|publisher=E. W. Scripps Company|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923210755/http://www.courierpress.com/entertainment/fox-moves-to-wevv-hd-available-on-low-power|archive-date=September 23, 2015|access-date=July 16, 2015}}</ref> though MyNetworkTV programming simply moved from 7–9 p.m. to 9–11 p.m.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/market-eye-going-indie-indiana-43132|date=October 16, 2011|title=Market Eye: Going Indie in Indiana|work=Broadcasting & Cable|first=Michael|last=Malone|archive-date=March 22, 2025|access-date=July 8, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250322154531/https://www.nexttv.com/news/market-eye-going-indie-indiana-43132|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Bayou City Broadcasting ownership and news relaunch ===
On April 24, 2013, Communications Corporation of America announced the sale of its stations to Nexstar, which now owned WEHT and operated WTVW, for $270 million.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nexstar, Mission Buy 19 Stations For $270M|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/nexstar-mission-buy-19-stations-for-270m/|website=TVNewsCheck|publisher=NewsCheck Media|date=April 24, 2013|access-date=July 18, 2015|archive-date=June 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621131424/https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/nexstar-mission-buy-19-stations-for-270m/|url-status=live}}</ref> Under FCC rules, [[duopoly (broadcasting)|duopolies]] were not permissible in a market with fewer than eight full-power TV stations.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/sinclair-questions-appeals-court-media-ownership-ruling-on-eightvoices-duopoly-test|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=December 11, 2007|first=John|last=Eggerton|title=Small-Market TV Stations to FCC: Loosen TV-Duopoly Rules}}</ref> Instead, Nexstar originally opted to sell WEVV to Rocky Creek Communications, Inc. a company founded by Shirley Green; Nexstar would have operated the station under a [[shared services]] agreement (SSA), bringing it under common operation with WEHT and WTVW.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://rbr.com/nexstarcca-related-deal-details/|work=Radio and Television Business Report|title=Nexstar/CCA related deal details|date=May 15, 2013}}</ref> However, the deal came as the FCC began closely scrutinizing sharing agreements between two or more television stations within the same market.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 31, 2014 |first=Keach |last=Hagey |title=Broadcasters sue FCC over 'sidecar agreements' |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/broadcasters-sue-fcc-over-sidecar-agreements-2014-05-31 |access-date=July 8, 2025 |website=MarketWatch |language=en-US |archive-date=April 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401152751/https://www.marketwatch.com/story/broadcasters-sue-fcc-over-sidecar-agreements-2014-05-31 |url-status=live }}</ref> With the ComCorp sale still pending, Nexstar changed tack. It announced on August 4, 2014, that it would instead sell WEVV to [[The Woodlands, Texas]]–based [[Bayou City Broadcasting]] (owned by DuJuan McCoy, who is [[African American]]) for $18.6 million.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nexstar Selling WEVV For $18.6 Million|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/78188/nexstar-selling-wevv-for-186-million|website=TVNewsCheck|publisher=NewsCheck Media|date=August 4, 2014|access-date=August 4, 2014|archive-date=October 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006072328/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/78188/nexstar-selling-wevv-for-186-million|url-status=live}}</ref> Bayou City assumed control at the start of January 2015<ref>{{Cite news|work=The Herald|___location=Jasper, Indiana|title=Amid TV tussle, football fans make alternative plans|date=January 16, 2015|first=Jason|last=Recker}}</ref> and within a week entered into a [[carriage dispute]] with [[Dish Network]] over retransmission consent fees which lasted for nearly a month.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.courierpress.com/news/local-news/dish-owner-of-local-tv-stations-reach-retransmission-deal_42709233|title=DISH, owner of local TV station reach retransmission deal|date=February 2, 2015|website=Evansville Courier & Press|publisher=E. W. Scripps Company|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150730215730/http://www.courierpress.com/news/local-news/dish-owner-of-local-tv-stations-reach-retransmission-deal_42709233|archive-date=July 30, 2015|access-date=July 16, 2015}}</ref>
Bayou City ownership brought major changes to WEVV. It moved out of the Main Street studio and to WTVW's former studios on Carpenter Street, which had sat vacant since that station merged into WEHT;<ref name="WEVV news team">{{cite news|url=http://www.courierpress.com/business/local/wevv-names-four-members-of-news-team-for-upcoming-launch_18013389|title=WEVV names four members of news team for upcoming launch|url-status=dead|first=Ryan|last=Reynolds|date=May 1, 2015|newspaper=Evansville Courier & Press|publisher=Journal Media Group|archive-date=September 23, 2015|access-date=May 7, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923210739/http://www.courierpress.com/business/local/wevv-names-four-members-of-news-team-for-upcoming-launch_18013389}}</ref><ref name="WEVVReadying">{{cite news|title=WEVV readying young news team for Tri-State|url=http://www.courierpress.com/news/local-news/wevv-readying-young-news-team-for-tristate_40372311|url-status=dead|id={{ProQuest|2574530859}}|first=Zach|last=Evans|newspaper=Evansville Courier & Press|publisher=Journal Media Group|date=July 24, 2015|access-date=July 27, 2015|archive-date=July 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150727003445/http://www.courierpress.com/news/local-news/wevv-readying-young-news-team-for-tristate_40372311}}</ref> the Main Street facility is now occupied by public broadcasting [[WNIN-FM]] and [[WNIN (TV)|WNIN TV]], which moved in in 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.courierpress.com/story/news/2017/08/01/wnins-move-main-drawing-closer/104164230/|date=August 1, 2017|title=WNIN's 'Move to Main' is drawing closer|first=John T.|last=Martin|work=Evansville Courier & Press}}</ref> The move coincided with the return of local news to channel 44. Before taking control, McCoy announced his intention to restore newscasts for the first time since 2001.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.courierpress.com/business/local/wevv-to-add-local-news-programming_10858384|title=WEVV to add local news programming|last=Orr|first=Susan|date=December 9, 2014|work=Evansville Courier & Press|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150717162618/http://www.courierpress.com/business/local/wevv-to-add-local-news-programming_10858384|archive-date=July 17, 2015|publisher=[[Journal Media Group]]}}</ref> The newscasts premiered on August 3, 2015, consisting of morning news (4:30 to 7 a.m. on CBS and Fox and 7 to 9 a.m. on Fox alone) plus half-hour noon, 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 10 p.m. broadcasts on CBS and an hour-long 9 p.m. newscast on Fox.<ref name="WEVVReadying"/>
===Allen Media Group ownership; pending sale to Gray Media===
On May 6, 2019, it was announced that [[Los Angeles]]–based [[Entertainment Studios]], headed by entertainment entrepreneur [[Byron Allen]], would purchase the Bayou City stations for $165 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/234683/byron-allen-buying-bayou-city-tvs-for-165m|title=Byron Allen Buying Bayou City TVs for $165M|last=Miller|first=Mark K.|date=May 6, 2019|website=TVNewsCheck|publisher=NewsCheck Media|access-date=May 6, 2019|archive-date=May 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506170045/https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/234683/byron-allen-buying-bayou-city-tvs-for-165m/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The sale was completed on July 31, 2019.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mills |first=Wes |title=FCC Approves Evansville TV Station Sale |url=http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/story/40860316/fcc-approves-evansville-tv-station-sale |access-date=August 8, 2019 |work=Inside Indiana Business |publisher=Grow INdiana Media Ventures, LLC |date=July 31, 2019 |archive-date=August 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808173536/http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/story/40860316/fcc-approves-evansville-tv-station-sale |url-status=live }}</ref>
On January 17, 2025, Allen Media Group announced plans to cut local meteorologist/weather forecaster positions from its stations, including WEVV, and replacing them with a "weather hub" produced by [[The Weather Channel]], which the company also owns. The decision was reversed within a week by management in response to "viewer and advertiser reaction".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.westkentuckystar.com/News/Local-Regional/Changes-coming-to-TV-weather-at-local-stations-inc|work=West Kentucky Star|title=Allen Media reverses course on weather changes at WSIL|date=January 23, 2025|first=Brad|last=Munson|access-date=January 23, 2025|archive-date=January 22, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250122192056/https://westkentuckystar.com/News/Local-Regional/Changes-coming-to-TV-weather-at-local-stations-inc|url-status=live}}</ref> Amid financial woes and rising debt, Allen Media Group announced on June 1 that it would explore strategic options, such as a sale of its television stations.<ref>{{cite news|last=Weprin|first=Alex|date=June 1, 2025|title=Byron Allen Puts His Local TV Stations Up for Sale|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/byron-allen-selling-local-tv-stations-up-1236235004/|access-date=June 1, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Mark K. |date=June 2, 2025 |title=Allen Media Group Retains Moelis To Sell Its TV Stations |url=https://tvnewscheck.com/business/article/allen-media-group-retains-moelis-to-sell-its-tv-stations/ |access-date=June 2, 2025 |website=TVNewsCheck |language=en-US}}</ref> On August 8, it was announced that AMG would sell a package of stations including WEVV and WEEV-LD to [[Gray Media]] for $171 million; in the Evansville market, this would create a [[duopoly (broadcasting)|duopoly]] with WFIE.<ref name=grayallen>{{cite web|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/business/article/gray-media-to-purchase-allen-media-stations-in-10-markets/|title=Gray Media To Purchase Allen Media Stations In 10 Markets|first=Mark K.|last=Miller|website=TVNewsCheck|date=August 8, 2025|accessdate=August 8, 2025}}</ref>
==Notable former on-air staff==
* [[Adam Alexander (sportscaster)|Adam Alexander]]{{sndash}}sportscaster, late 1990s<ref>{{Cite news |last=Engelhardt |first=Gordon |date=April 19, 2020 |title=Q&A: Catching up with Evansville native, NASCAR broadcaster Adam Alexander |url=https://www.courierpress.com/story/sports/2020/04/19/former-wevv-broadcaster-climbed-up-ranks-nascar/2991192001/ |access-date=July 8, 2025 |work=Evansville Courier & Press |language=en-US}}</ref>
<!--* [[Ryan Owens]] Seems to have worked here, but cannot find a reference to verify directly.-->
==Subchannels==
WEVV-TV's transmitter is located at [[John James Audubon State Park]] in [[Henderson, Kentucky]].{{r|FCC-LMS-72041}} The station's signal is [[Multiplex (TV)|multiplexed]]:
{| class="wikitable"
|+Subchannels of WEVV-TV<ref name=rei>{{cite web|title=RabbitEars TV Query for WEVV|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WEVV#station|website=[[RabbitEars]]|access-date=January 2, 2014|archive-date=February 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221235821/http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WEVV#station|url-status=live}}</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" | 44.1
| rowspan=1|[[1080i]] || rowspan=5|[[16:9]] || CBS44 || [[CBS]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 44.2
| rowspan=1|[[720p]] || FOX44 || [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] & [[MyNetworkTV]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 44.3
| rowspan=3|[[480i]] || WEVVQVC || [[QVC]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 44.4
| WEVVHSN || [[HSN]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 44.5
| METOONS || [[MeTV Toons]]
|}
WEEV-LD carries the Fox subchannel on a standalone basis:
{| class="wikitable"
|+Subchannel of WEEV-LD<ref name="rei0">{{cite web|title=Digital TV Market Listing for WEEV-LD|url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WEEV-LD#station|website=[[RabbitEars]]|access-date=July 11, 2017|language=en|archive-date=November 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107010546/https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WEEV-LD#station|url-status=live}}</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" | 47.1
| [[720p]] || [[16:9]] || FOX44 || [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] & [[MyNetworkTV]]
|}
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
*
* {{URL|http://www.fox44tv.com/|Official Fox 44 website}}
* {{FCC-LMS-Facility|188022|WEEV-LD}}
{{Evansville TV}}
{{
{{Kentucky TV}}
{{Illinois TV}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wevv-Tv}}
[[Category:1983 establishments in Indiana]]
[[Category:Allen Media Group]]
[[Category:CBS affiliates]]
[[Category:Fox Broadcasting Company affiliates]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1983]]
[[Category:Television stations in Evansville, Indiana|EVV-TV]]
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