WSCV: Difference between revisions

{{Use mdy dates|date=OctoberJanuary 20222024}}

| callsign = WSCV

| city = Fort Lauderdale, Florida

| logo = Telemundo 51 2018.png

| branding = {{ubl|{{lang|es|Telemundo 51}}|{{lang|es|Noticiero Telemundo 51}} (newscasts)}}

| digital = 30 ([[ultra high frequency|UHF]])

| virtual = 51

'''WSCV''' (channel 51) is a [[television station]] licensed to [[Fort Lauderdale, Florida]], United States, serving as the [[Telemundo]] outlet for the [[Miami]] area. It is one of two [[flagship (broadcasting)|flagship stations]] of the Spanish-language network (the other being [[WNJU]] in the [[New York City]] market). WSCV is [[owned-and-operated station|owned and operated]] by [[NBCUniversal]]'s [[Telemundo Station Group]] alongside [[NBC]] station [[WTVJ]] (channel 6). The two stations share studios on Southwest 27th Street in [[Miramar, Florida|Miramar]]; WSCV's transmitter is located in [[Pembroke Park, Florida]]. The station also serves as the ''de facto'' Telemundo outlet for the [[West Palm Beach, Florida|West Palm Beach]] market, as that area does not have a Telemundo station of its own.

Channel 51 in Fort Lauderdale first went on the air in 1968. It operated as a primarily English-language [[independent station]] as WSMS-TV from 1968 to 1970 and as WKID from 1972 to 1980. From 1980 to 1984, the station primarily broadcast the [[ON TV (TV network)|ON TV]] subscription service until its owner, [[Oak Industries|Oak Communications]], sold it to John Blair & Co., which relaunched it the next year as Spanish-language WSCV. It was one of Telemundo's charter stations in 1987 and has since experienced ratings increases and expanded its local news offerings.

The construction permit for channel 51 was awarded in 1965, but channel 51 did not begin broadcasting until December 6, 1968,<ref>{{cite news|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42954721/|date=December 6, 1968|title=Channel 51 (UHF) Goes on Air Tonight|work=Miami Herald|location=Miami, Florida|first=Jack E.|last=Anderson|access-date=January 24, 2020|page=12-F|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072742/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42954721/channel-51-uhf-goes-on-air-tonight/|url-status=live}}</ref> as WSMS-TV. The Broward Broadcasting Company, owned by attorney Paris G. Singer, was the original permit holder.<ref>{{cite news|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42954464/|title=New UHF Station, Channel 51, To Hit Airwaves Next Month|first=Jack E.|last=Anderson|page=20-A|work=Miami Herald|location=Miami, Florida|date=September 21, 1968|access-date=January 24, 2020|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072743/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42954464/new-uhf-station-channel-51-to-hit/|url-status=live}}</ref> The call letters had been selected to mean "Where Sun Meets Sea"; a proposed sister station for [[Tampa, Florida|Tampa]] would have been WTSS, for "Where The Sun Sets".<ref>{{cite news|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/67912826/|access-date=January 17, 2021|date=June 9, 1967|page=2-A|work=The Tampa Times|title=New TV Station Moving|archive-date=February 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205074324/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/67912826/new-tv-station-moving/|url-status=live}}</ref> Delayed from a planned October 1 start due to bad weather,<ref>{{cite news|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42954629/|date=October 28, 1968|page=8-B|work=Miami Herald|location=Miami, Florida|first=Jack E.|last=Anderson|title=Wet Weather Delays Opening Of Lauderdale UHF Station|access-date=January 24, 2020|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072742/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42954629/wet-weather-delays-opening-of/|url-status=live}}</ref> WSMS was the first station in Fort Lauderdale in 12 years, operating from its studios on Federal Highway.<ref name="oper">{{cite news|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42954952/|title=Channel 51 Operating|work=Fort Lauderdale News|location=Fort Lauderdale, Florida|date=December 18, 1968|page=18H|access-date=January 24, 2020|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072743/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42954952/channel-51-operating/|url-status=live}}</ref> The station aired syndicated programming as well as all-color local news and sports, alongside other local productions including ''[[Romper Room]]'', the afternoon interview show ''Talk About Town'' and the cartoon show ''Capt'n' Zero'',{{r|oper}} plus local stock market reports.{{r|kid}} Channel 51's news moved to 10 p.m. in July 1969, making it the only local newscast in that time slot in South Florida.<ref>{{cite news|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42955115/|title=TV 51 News Schedule Changed|page=8F|work=Fort Lauderdale News|location=Fort Lauderdale, Florida|access-date=January 24, 2020|date=July 18, 1969|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072743/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42955115/tv-51-news-schedule-changed/|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{seefurther|ON TV (TV network)#Miami–Fort Lauderdale}}

In 1971, a buyer appeared for the silent television station. A subsidiary of Recreation Corporation of America (RCA), owner of the [[Pirates World]] amusement park in [[Dania, Florida|Dania]], filed to acquire channel 51; Singer became an officer in the new company.<ref>{{cite news|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42955583/|access-date=January 24, 2020|title=Defunct TV Channel 51 To Revitalize|date=May 10, 1971|page=2C|work=Fort Lauderdale News|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072744/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42955583/defunct-tv-channel-51-to-revitalize/|url-status=live}}</ref> The new owners changed the call letters to WKID and planned to target a youth audience, with the studios to be at Pirates World.<ref name="kid">{{cite news|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42955820/|work=Miami Herald|location=Miami, Florida|first=Jack E.|last=Anderson|access-date=January 24, 2020|page=8-C|title=New Group Seeks Channel 51, Will Aim for Young Audience|date=July 31, 1971|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072744/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42955820/new-group-seeks-channel-51-will-aim/|url-status=live}}</ref> Though one objection was made to RCA's plans, by Hank Zinkil—a state representative and former mayor of [[Hollywood, Florida|Hollywood]] attempting to exaggerate that Pirates World had been "the source of great controversy" due to rock concerts which required consistent [[crowd control]], and a [[illegal drug trade|drug dealing]] site<ref>{{cite news|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42955948/|access-date=January 24, 2020|date=October 23, 1971|title=Zinkil Questions TV Application|page=1B|work=Fort Lauderdale News|location=Fort Lauderdale, Florida|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072745/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42955948/zinkil-questions-tv-application/|url-status=live}}</ref>—the FCC dismissed Zinkil's challenge. From a new {{convert|1049|ft|m|adj=on}} tower affording market-wide coverage,<ref>{{cite news|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42956157/|title=Channel 51 Due Back On The Air|date=January 13, 1972|page=2C|work=Fort Lauderdale News|location=Fort Lauderdale, Florida|access-date=January 24, 2020|first=Carolanne|last=Griffith|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072745/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42956157/channel-51-due-back-on-the-air/|url-status=live}}</ref> WKID returned to the air on February 14, 1972.<ref>{{cite news|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42956269/|title=Channel 51 back on air with kids fare|work=Miami News|date=February 16, 1972|page=7-B|access-date=January 24, 2020|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072745/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42956269/channel-51-back-on-air-with-kids-fare/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Pirates World closed in December 1973 after the opening of [[Walt Disney World]] sapped its customer base.<ref name="Miam731215">{{Cite news |last=Reed |first=Sandi |date=December 15, 1973 |title=Pirates World Closed Again, This Time Apparently for Good: 960-Unit Project Planned |page=2-BR |newspaper=The Miami Herald |location=Miami, Florida |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111096841/pirates-world-closed-again-this-time/ |access-date=October 11, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><!-- Sat --> The amusement park site became an eyesore with 48 abandoned buildings,<ref name="Fort750121">{{Cite news |last=Wood |first=Robert |date=January 21, 1975 |title=Walker To Decide If Buildings Safe At Pirates World |page=2C |newspaper=Fort Lauderdale News |location=Fort Lauderdale, Florida |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111097014/walker-to-decide-if-buildings-safe-at/ |access-date=October 11, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><!-- Tue --> amidst which WKID continued to operate through 1975. On the night of February 24, two bombs went off at the studios in Dania and a production office the station leased in Miami;<ref>{{cite news|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42956470/|access-date=January 24, 2020|date=February 25, 1975|title=Channel 51 TV Studio Bombed|page=1A|work=Fort Lauderdale News|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072745/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42956470/channel-51-tv-studio-bombed/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42956503/|work=Naples Daily News|date=February 25, 1975|access-date=January 24, 2020|title=Bomb Knocks TV Station off Air|page=1B|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072745/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42956503/bomb-knocks-tv-station-off-air/|url-status=live}}</ref> a Cuban exile group took credit, blaming WKID's policy of rapprochement with communist Cuba in its Spanish-language programming.<ref>{{cite news|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42956571/|access-date=January 24, 2020|date=February 28, 1975|title=Cuban Exile Group Claims Credit For Studio Bombing|work=News-Press|location=Fort Myers, Florida|agency=Associated Press|page=6B|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072745/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42956571/cuban-exile-group-claims-credit-for/|url-status=live}}</ref> Licensee Channel 51, Inc., went bankrupt in March,{{r|hc}} and Pirates World with the WKID studio was condemned in September.<ref>{{Cite news|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42956790/|title=Dania Issues Pirates World Condemnation|access-date=January 24, 2020|first=Pat|last=Faherty|page=1B|work=Fort Lauderdale News|location=Fort Lauderdale, Florida|date=September 4, 1975|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710075432/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42956790/dania-issues-pirates-world-condemnation/|url-status=live}}</ref> Channel 51 moved the next month to temporary quarters in [[Pembroke Park, Florida|Pembroke Park]]<ref>{{cite news|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42956881/|access-date=January 24, 2020|date=October 6, 1975|title=Dania OKs Reprieve On Park|first=Pat|last=Faherty|page=1B|work=Fort Lauderdale News|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072839/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42956881/dania-oks-reprieve-on-park/|url-status=live}}</ref> as WKID was acquired by an investment group headed by Bill Johns and Alvin Koenig in 1976; the group became known as CB TV Corp. in 1977.{{r|hc}} Johns and Koenig had already been operating the station on RCA's behalf since 1972.<ref name="Miam750605">{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Jack |date=June 5, 1975 |title=Ch. 51 Managing Company Offers to Buy TV Station |page=16-C |newspaper=The Miami Herald |location=Miami, Florida |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111096942/ch-51-managing-company-offers-to-buy/ |access-date=October 11, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=October 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011053024/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111096942/ch-51-managing-company-offers-to-buy/ |url-status=live }}</ref><!-- Thu -->

In the 1970s, WKID was the second-largest source of Spanish-language television programming in South Florida, providing the only prime time shows not being aired on WLTV.<ref name="Miam760617">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105319878/no-habla-usted-espaol-heres-where-yo/|date=June 17, 1976|page=1D, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105319867/where-to-learn-spanish/ 6D]|first=Beth|last=Dunlop|title=¿No Habla Usted Español? Here's Where You Can Learn Spanish|newspaper=The Miami Herald|location=Miami, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 10, 2022|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072839/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105319878/no-habla-usted-espaol-heres-where/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> In the evening hours in 1977, it leased out airtime to Latin Network, which programmed "TV Sol", complete with news and entertainment programs in Spanish.<ref name="ElMi770701">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105634738/en-el-canal-51-se-expande-la-programaci/|date=July 1, 1977|page=9|first=Norma|last=Niurka|langlanguage=es|trans-title=On Channel 51: Spanish programming expands|title=En el Canal 51: Se expande la programación en español|newspaper=El Miami Herald|location=Miami, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 15, 2022}}</ref><!-- Fri --> During this era, cable providers that carried competing independent [[WFOR-TV|WCIX]] outside of the Miami market, especially in the Tampa and [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]] areas, carried WKID during the overnight hours, after WCIX signed off for the night;<ref name="Tamp751210">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105319806/wedu-serves-up-exceptional-fare/|date=December 10, 1975|page=3D|first=Charles|last=Benbow|title=WEDU serves up exceptional fare|newspaper=St. Petersburg Times Times|location=St. Petersburg, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 10, 2022|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072839/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105319806/wedu-serves-up-exceptional-fare/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> channel 51 served up ''The All Night Show'', a campy mix of movies hosted by Dave Dixon, to this audience.<ref name="Miam780709">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105319931/dave-dixon-presents-the-all-night-stink/|date=July 9, 1978|page=Tropic 26, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105320005/ 27], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105320019/ 28], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105320031/ 29], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105320033/ 30]|first=Nancy|last=Webb Hatton|title=Dave Dixon presents the All Night Stink-o|newspaper=The Miami Herald|location=Miami, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 10, 2022|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072839/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105319931/dave-dixon-presents-the-all-night/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> WKID-TV was also among the first broadcast outlets for what would become the [[Christian Television Network]], as the network purchased a block of evening airtime every night on channel 51 prior to the establishment of its first station, [[WCLF]] in Tampa.<ref>{{cite news|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42957088/|first=Jeanne|last=Pugh|pages=Crossroads 1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42957109/ 4], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42957126/ 5]|work=St. Petersburg Times|title=Nation's Newest Christian TV Station Begins Operations|date=October 27, 1979|access-date=January 24, 2020|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072840/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42957088/nations-newest-christian-tv-station/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1980, CB TV Corp. sold WKID to [[Oak Industries]], a cable television equipment manufacturer and owner of [[ON TV (TV network)|ON TV]], a [[pay television|subscription television]] (STV) service that was carried during the evening hours. ON TV could only be viewed for a monthly fee and required a set-top decoder box and outdoor antenna for adequate reception. The station's advertiser-supported programming during this period included business news from the [[Financial News Network]] during the daytime hours and, a [[horse racing]] show hosted by Bob Savage in the early evening, and movies in overnights, shortly after ON TV signed off for the evening.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLBExrlohqA ON TV sign off into ''51 After Hours'']</ref> Subscription service from ON TV initially commenced at 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and at 10 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, expanding in 1982 to a 4 p.m. start.<ref>{{cite news|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61982936/|access-date=October 27, 2020|date=June 22, 1982|first=Paul|last=Moran|page=6C|work=Fort Lauderdale News|location=Fort Lauderdale, Florida|title=ON-TV expansion whips horseplayers' TV friend|archive-date=March 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313004420/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61982936/on-tv-expansion-whips-horseplayers-tv/|url-status=live}}</ref> With the expansion of cable television in the Miami area, ON TV proved to be an ill-fated venture; by July 1984, when it laid off half its staff, subscriptions had fallen from a 1982 high of 44,700<ref name="bc82">{{cite news|via=World Radio History|id={{pqProQuest|962743875}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1982/BC-1982-08-16.pdf|access-date=October 26, 2020|work=Broadcasting|title=Special Report: Subscription Television|pages=32–45|date=August 16, 1982|archive-date=October 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030031135/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1982/BC-1982-08-16.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> to 28,500,<ref name="woodlee">{{cite news|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61491508/on-tv-lays-off-half-its-staff-to-save/|access-date=October 25, 2020|first=Yolanda W.|last=Woodlee|work=Miami Herald|location=Miami, Florida|date=July 18, 1984|title=ON TV lays off half its staff to save service|page=2BR|archive-date=October 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029082113/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61491508/on-tv-lays-off-half-its-staff-to-save/|url-status=live}}</ref> making it the smallest of Oak's STV operations at the time.<ref>{{cite news|title=Prospective sale could turn ON-TV into Spanish outlet|work=The Miami News|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61983355/|page=4C|access-date=October 27, 2020|date=July 26, 1984|first=Tom|last=Jicha|archive-date=March 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313004431/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61983355/prospective-sale-could-turn-on-tv-into/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Oak's financial difficulties and the failure of ON TV motivated the company to sell WKID. At the end of July 1984, Oak announced that it had sold the station to John Blair & Co. for $17.75&nbsp;million; the new buyers intended to program it as a Spanish-language station.<ref>{{cite news|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61491552/oak-industries-to-sell-tv-station-in/|access-date=October 25, 2020|title=Oak Industries to Sell TV Station in Florida|work=Los Angeles Times|first=Cyndi|last=Mitchell|page=A|date=July 31, 1984|archive-date=January 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118083642/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61491552/oak-industries-to-sell-tv-station-in/|url-status=live}}</ref> Financial News Network programming ceased in October 1984.<ref name="Fort841003">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-lauderdale-news-fiancial-news-netwo/128524585/|date=October 3, 1984|page=20C|first=John G.|last=Edwards|title=Fiancial News Network show leaving Channel 51|newspaper=Fort Lauderdale News|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 19, 2023}}</ref><!-- Wed --> Blair, led by Cuban-American media entrepreneur [[Julio Rumbaut]], completed the acquisition in December.<ref>{{cite news|title=Blair & Co. acquires Channel 51|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61853551/|newspaper=[[The Miami News]]|location=Miami, Florida|page=10A|date=December 7, 1984|access-date=October 27, 2020|archive-date=March 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313004441/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61853551/blair-co-acquires-channel-51/|url-status=live}}</ref> Channel 51 then went off the air as Blair prepared to implement the station's relaunch as WSCV, south Florida's second Spanish-language television station.<ref>{{cite news|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61983781/|access-date=October 27, 2020|date=December 6, 1984|page=9D|work=Miami Herald|location=Miami, Florida|title=WSCV to schedule new local programs|archive-date=March 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313004420/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61983781/wscv-to-schedule-new-local-programs/|url-status=live}}</ref> The new call letters, when pronounced in Spanish, read "Doble-U Ese Se Ve," (which is translated into English as "that one is seen").<ref name="Miam850329">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105312817/return-of-ch-51-en-espaol-reaches-fine/|date=March 29, 1985|page=7B|first=Tom|last=Jicha|title=Return of Ch. 51 en español reaches fine-tuning stage|newspaper=The Miami News|location=Miami, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 10, 2022|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072840/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105312817/return-of-ch-51-en-espaol-reaches/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->

The launch took longer than expected due to transmitter troubles;<ref>{{cite news|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61826314/|accessdate=February 10, 2021|date=May 25, 1985|work=The Miami News|page=11A|first=Luisa|last=Yáñez|title=Channel 51 start-up date's a guess for audience and station|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072840/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61826314/channel-51-start-up-dates-a-guess-for/|url-status=live}}</ref> WSCV finally launched on June 2, 1985.<ref>{{cite news|title=Debuta el domingo el Canal 51 de televisión|language=es|trans-title=Television Channel 51 debuts Sunday|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69906277/|first=Norma|last=Niurka|work=El Miami Herald|location=Miami, Florida|date=May 31, 1985|accessdate=February 10, 2021|page=2|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072841/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69906277/debuta-el-domingo-el-canal-51-de/|url-status=live}}</ref> The new WSCV positioned its programming as a local, independent Miami-targeted alternative to the Mexican-dominated Spanish International Network (now [[Univision]]) and its station [[WLTV-DT|WLTV]] (channel 23), with a program hosted by [[Rolando Barral]] as part of its charter lineup.<ref>{{cite news|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69906349/|accessdate=February 10, 2021|title=Salió al aire el Canal 51 en español|language=es|trans-title=Spanish-language Channel 51 signed on|pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69906444/ 2]|first=Norma|last=Niurka|work=El Miami Herald|location=Miami, Florida|date=June 4, 1985|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072841/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69906349/sali-al-aire-el-canal-51-en-espaol/|url-status=live}}</ref> (Barral left within months to return to WLTV.<ref name="Miam850717">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105313111/two-hispanic-stations-raiding-on-air-sta/|date=July 17, 1985|page=6C|first=Luisa|last=Yáñez|title=Two Hispanic stations raiding on-air staffs in war for TV ratings|newspaper=The Miami News|location=Miami, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 10, 2022|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072848/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105313111/two-hispanic-stations-raiding-on-air/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed -->) Reflecting the market it aimed to serve, the station played both the United States and Cuban national anthems at sign-on and sign-off;<ref>{{cite news|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69906493/|work=El Miami Herald|location=Miami, Florida|date=June 23, 1985|title=La guerra de los canales|langlanguage=es|trans-title=The war of the stations|first=Patricia|last=Duarte|pages=15, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69906633/ 16]|accessdate=February 10, 2021|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072841/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69906493/la-guerra-de-los-canales/|url-status=live}}</ref> its logo incorporated features of the Cuban flag.{{r|Miam870723}} Another feature in the station's early months were Major League Baseball telecasts; announcers in the channel 51 studio produced Spanish-language commentary for games of the [[Baltimore Orioles]] and other teams.<ref name="Miam850625">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61826400/baseballs-a-big-hit-on-spanish-tv-stati/|date=June 25, 1985|page=3B|first=Santos|last=Pérez|title=Baseball's a big hit on Spanish TV station|newspaper=The Miami News|location=Miami, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 10, 2022|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072841/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61826400/baseballs-a-big-hit-on-spanish-tv/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue -->

In 1986, the [[Reliance Group Holdings|Reliance Group]] acquired WSCV and [[WKAQ-TV]] in [[San Juan, Puerto Rico]], from John Blair & Co., which was paid $300 million to thwart a hostile takeover.<ref>{{cite news|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81201537/|access-date=July 10, 2021|work=Los Angeles Times|date=June 4, 1986|title=Blair Agrees to Merge With a Steinberg Unit|page=IV:2|first=Paul|last=Richter|archive-date=July 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712044057/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81201537/blair-agrees-to-merge-with-a-steinberg/|url-status=live}}</ref> The year before, Reliance had purchased Oak's Los Angeles station, KBSC-TV, and relaunched it as Spanish-language [[KVEA]]—much like WSCV, the first competition to a long-running SIN station in a large Hispanic market. In October 1986, Reliance then bought [[WNJU]] serving the [[New York City]] area.<ref>{{cite news|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81215771/|access-date=July 11, 2021|date=October 30, 1986|agency=Associated Press|page=B22|work=Asbury Park Press|location=Asbury Park, New Jersey|title=Firm buys Hispanic TV station|archive-date=July 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712044051/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81215771/firm-buys-hispanic-tv-station/|url-status=live}}</ref> On January 12, 1987,<ref>{{cite news|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|title=Telemundo TV Network to Air Nationally Tonight|date=January 12, 1987|id={{ProQuest|398013667}} }}</ref> the new stations were integrated into one network: Telemundo, supplying additional programming and national news coverage.<ref name="gains">{{cite news|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81215900/|title=KVEA gains in Spanish-speaking market: A strong choice for Latino viewers|first=Victor|last=Valle|page=V:10|work=The [[Los Angeles Times]]|date=February 25, 1987|access-date=July 11, 2021|archive-date=July 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712044036/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81215900/kvea-gains-in-spanish-speaking-market/|url-status=live}}</ref>

While Rumbaut had done much to build WSCV in the early years of what he called "the World Series of Spanish television",<ref name="Miam870723">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105314961/underdog-tackling-the-tv-giant/|date=July 23, 1987|page=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105314986/ 3B]|first=Ana|last=Veciana-Suárez|title=Julio Rumbaut took a big chance when he cast his lot with Channel 51. He's an Underdog Tackling the TV Giant|newspaper=The Miami Herald|location=Miami, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 10, 2022|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072841/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105314961/underdog-tackling-the-tv-giant/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> his exit would be acrimonious. In February 1988, WSCV was the only Telemundo station (of a total of nine) to air a speech by President [[Ronald Reagan]] about aid to the [[Contras]], after the news staff petitioned Rumbaut to air the address. The move was poorly received by the network; after a meeting in New York, he presented his resignation. Roberto Rodríguez Tejera then attempted to present editorials relating to Rumbaut's resignation; on orders from the Telemundo Group, engineers shut the station's signal off during the editorial, infuriating staffers.<ref name="MiamN880205">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105315056/blackouts-anger-channel-51-staff-mad/|date=February 5, 1988|page=5A|first=Catesby|last=Leigh|title=Blackouts anger Channel 51 staff: 'Mad because of censorship,' news manager says|newspaper=The Miami News|location=Miami, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 10, 2022|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072842/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105315056/blackouts-anger-channel-51-staff-mad/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --><ref name="MiamH880205">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105316709/channel-51-newscast-goes-black-after/|date=February 5, 1988|page=1D, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105316733/ 5D]|first1=Luis|last1=Feldstein Soto|first2=Richard|last2=Hart|title=Channel 51 newscast goes black after workers' dispute|newspaper=The Miami Herald|location=Miami, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 10, 2022|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072841/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105316709/channel-51-newscast-goes-black-after/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> He was replaced by Alfredo Durán, formerly of WLTV.<ref name="ElNu880421">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105316833/durn-renuncia-al-23-y-se-va-al-51/|date=April 21, 1988|page=1B|first=Beatriz|last=Parga|langlanguage=es|trans-title=Durán resigns from 23 and goes to 51|title=Durán renuncia al 23 y se va al 51|newspaper=El Nuevo Herald|location=Miami, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 10, 2022|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072841/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105316833/durn-renuncia-al-23-y-se-va-al-51/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> Later that year, the station moved news production from its original facilities in [[Hollywood, Florida|Hollywood]] to Telemundo's [[Hialeah, Florida|Hialeah]] headquarters, coinciding with a top-to-bottom station relaunch;<ref name="ElNu880904">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105317329/lanza-el-lunes-un-nuevo-noticiero-el-can/|date=September 4, 1988|page=3C|first=Beatriz|last=Parga|trans-title=Channel 51 launches new newscast Monday|langlanguage=es|title=Lanza el lunes un nuevo noticiero el Canal 51|newspaper=El Nuevo Herald|location=Miami, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 10, 2022|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072842/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105317329/lanza-el-lunes-un-nuevo-noticiero-el/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> offices and other station functions followed suit in 1990.<ref name="Miam900329">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105317776/in-the-spotlight/|date=March 29, 1990|page=Neighbors 14–15|first=Gina|last=Shaffer|title=In the spotlight|newspaper=The Miami Herald|location=Miami, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 10, 2022|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072841/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105317776/in-the-spotlight/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> Durán would leave in 1991, seeking new career challenges.<ref name="Miam910103">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105318812/channel-51-executive-resigns-in-shakeup/|date=January 3, 1991|page=2B|first=Beatriz|last=Parga|title=Channel 51 executive resigns in shakeup|newspaper=The Miami Herald|location=Miami, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 10, 2022|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072842/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105318812/channel-51-executive-resigns-in-shakeup/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> The next year, José Cancela jumped from Univision, at the time in a process of a sale, to run WSCV.{{r|Miam920720}}

Local news was on WSCV's slate from the moment it relaunched in 1985. The station initially aired a 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. local newscast, anchored by Cuban-born Lucy Pereda and news director Eduardo Arango.<ref name="ElMi850302">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105313638/taillacq-salta-al-canal-51/|date=March 2, 1985|page=10|first=Norma|last=Niurka|langlanguage=es|trans-title=Taillacq jumps to Channel 51|title=Taillacq salta al Canal 51|newspaper=El Miami Herald|location=Miami, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 10, 2022|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072849/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105313638/taillacq-salta-al-canal-51/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> Pereda left before the end of 1985 to work for the Spanish International Network (going on to host ''Mundo Latino'', its first national morning show),<ref name="Miam851019">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105313779/channel-51-seeks-anchorwoman/|date=October 19, 1985|page=24A|first=Patricia|last=Duarte|title=Channel 51 seeks anchorwoman|newspaper=The Miami Herald|location=Miami, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 10, 2022|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072843/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105313779/channel-51-seeks-anchorwoman/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --><ref name="Miam860123">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105316626/hispanic-viewers-get-wakeup-show-ameri/|date=January 23, 1986|page=22|title=Hispanic viewers get wakeup show; 'Amerika' revived|newspaper=The Miami News|location=Miami, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 10, 2022|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072843/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105316626/hispanic-viewers-get-wakeup-show/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> while Arango was ousted in early 1986 over differences in philosophy with Rumbaut.<ref name="ElMi860109">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105313605/eduardo-arango-cesa-en-el-canal-51/|date=January 9, 1986|page=2|title=Eduardo Arango cesa en el Canal 51|newspaper=El Miami Herald|location=Miami, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 10, 2022|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072843/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105313605/eduardo-arango-cesa-en-el-canal-51/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> However, the presence of WSCV's 10 p.m. news, an hour before WLTV's, led the latter station to move up its newscast to match.<ref name="ElMi860926">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105313443/duelo-noticioso-en-los-canales/|date=September 26, 1986|page=10|first=Stephanie|last=Loudis|title=Duelo noticioso en los canales|newspaper=El Miami Herald|location=Miami, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 10, 2022|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072844/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105313443/duelo-noticioso-en-los-canales/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> As with the station in general, the news on WSCV was positioned as "Cuban" to the more Mexican-influenced WLTV. Rafael Orizondo, who replaced Arango in an interim capacity, said at a 1986 forum, "Our newscasts are designed for the Cuban community, not for the Hispanic community. We emphasize the Cuban, and to call [[Fidel Castro]] a dictator and say he is an assassin does not cost us any credibility."<ref name="Miam860426">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105315307/latin-tv-news-directors-debate-local-cov/|date=April 26, 1986|page=3B|title=Latin TV news directors debate local coverage|newspaper=The Miami Herald|location=Miami, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 10, 2022|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072844/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105315307/latin-tv-news-directors-debate-local/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> In late 1986, WSCV hired María Montoya, a former actress who had arrived in Miami as part of the Mariel boatlift of 1980,<ref name="Miam870119">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105315446/shes-living-an-american-dream-from-mar/|date=January 19, 1987|page=1C, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105315426/ 2C]|first=Patricia|last=Duarte|title=She's living an American dream: From Mariel to television, María Montoya has gone the distance|newspaper=The Miami Herald|location=Miami, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 10, 2022|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072844/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105315446/shes-living-an-american-dream-from/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> and Ambrosio Hernández, who had worked at several radio stations in [[Chicago]], to complement the team.{{r|Miam851019}}<ref name="ElNu871205">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105316039/ambrosio-hernndez-un-sueo-hecho-reali/|date=December 5, 1987|page=3D|trans-title=Ambrosio Hernández: a dream made reality|title=Ambrosio Hernández: un sueño hecho realidad|first=Beatriz|last=Parga|langlanguage=es|newspaper=El Nuevo Herald|location=Miami, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 10, 2022|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072845/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105316039/ambrosio-hernndez-un-sueo-hecho/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat -->

The move, which helped to lift WSCV's ratings slightly, escalated Miami's Spanish-language news war: Hernández defected to a rebuilding WLTV.<ref name="Miam881028">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105317856/changes-sweep-spanish-stations-into-rati/|date=October 28, 1988|page=8C|first=Stephanie|last=Loudis|title=Changes sweep Spanish stations into ratings war|newspaper=The Miami Herald|location=Miami, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 10, 2022|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072846/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105317856/changes-sweep-spanish-stations-into/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> When Mayo Azze left in 1990, she was replaced on the anchor desk by [[Argentina|Argentine]] news anchor Nicolas Kasanzew, who became famous covering the [[Falklands War]] ({{lang-es|Guerra de las Malvinas/Guerra del Atlántico Sur}}) for the state-run network [[Televisión Pública|ATC]].<ref name="Miam901117">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105318722/argentine-newsman-teams-with-callava/|date=November 17, 1990|page=4E|first=Stephanie|last=Loudis|title=Argentine newsman teams with Callava|newspaper=The Miami Herald|location=Miami, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 10, 2022|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072846/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105318722/argentine-newsman-teams-with-callava/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> Kasanzew was demoted to a reporter two years later as part of a major shakeup in which three newscasters were fired and news production was suspended for a week as the station readied a "clean slate",<ref name="Miam920714">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105318835/channel-51-newscast-returns-but-new-lo/|date=July 14, 1992|page=3B|first=Lydia|last=Martin|title=Channel 51 newscast returns: But 'new look' resembles the old|newspaper=The Miami Herald|location=Miami, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 10, 2022|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072846/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105318835/channel-51-newscast-returns-but-new/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> with Callava the only remaining anchor.<ref name="Miam920720">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105318870/newsroom-purge-leaves-callava-as-sole-ch/|date=July 20, 1992|page=1C, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105318914/ 3C]|first=Lydia|last=Martin|title=Newsroom purge leaves Callava as sole Ch. 51 anchor: Comeback hopes rest on her|newspaper=The Miami Herald|location=Miami, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 10, 2022|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072846/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105318870/newsroom-purge-leaves-callava-as-sole/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> At the time, WLTV was still beating WSCV two-to-one in the evening news ratings race.{{r|Miam920720}} This continued until Hernández returned to WSCV in early 1993.<ref name="ElNu930209">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105319008/secreto-a-voces-ambrosio-hernndez-al-n/|date=February 9, 1993|page=1B|first=Beatriz|last=Parga|langlanguage=es|trans-title=Open secret: Ambrosio Hernández to News 51|title=Secreto a voces: Ambrosio Hernández al Noticiero 51|newspaper=El Nuevo Herald|location=Miami, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 10, 2022|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072847/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105319008/secreto-a-voces-ambrosio-hernndez-al/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --><!--The backstage drama between Callava and Hernández was more intriguing than what viewers saw on the station's newscasts. It was rumored that each would count the stories assigned to them to be on even ground.-->

Montoya returned to WSCV in 1999 when the station began to expand its local news with the first Spanish-language midday newscast in the country.<ref name="ElNu990218">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105319056/montoya-presentar-un-noticiero-del-51/|date=February 18, 1999|page=2A|first=Erwin|last=Pérez|langlanguage=es|trans-title=Montoya will host a newscast on 51|title=Montoya presentará un noticiero del 51|newspaper=El Nuevo Herald|location=Miami, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 10, 2022|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072846/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105319056/montoya-presentar-un-noticiero-del-51/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> Two years later, WSCV expanded to morning news for the first time, debuting the 6 a.m. news hour {{lang|es|Primera Edición}} (First Edition) as part of a national strategy to add local morning newscasts.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chang |first=Daniel |date=January 13, 2001 |title=And here now the news |pages=1E, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86337709/news-at-telemundos-about-growth/ 3E] |work=The Miami Herald |via=Newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86337731/and-here-now-the-news/ |access-date=October 2, 2021 |archive-date=October 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211002034946/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86337731/and-here-now-the-news/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Weekend news followed that September.<ref name="Miam010717">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105320219/channel-51-finally-tunes-into-the-big-pi/|date=July 17, 2001|page=1E, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105320226/ 3E]|first=Stephen|last=Smith|title=Channel 51 finally tunes into the big picture|newspaper=The Miami Herald|location=Miami, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 10, 2022|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710075433/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105320219/channel-51-finally-tunes-into-the-big/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> After being told that management desired to replace her on the evening news with Montoya, Callava left WSCV in late 2001 after 13 years.<ref name="ElNu011010">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105319103/callava-se-va-de-telemundo/|date=October 10, 2001|page=20A|first=Erwin|last=Pérez|langlanguage=es|trans-title=Callava leaves Telemundo|title=Callava se va de Telemundo|newspaper=El Nuevo Herald|location=Miami, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 10, 2022|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072847/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105319103/callava-se-va-de-telemundo/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> While WLTV still led in news ratings into the 2000s, WSCV steadily increased its share of the marketplace.<ref name="ElNu041203">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105319451/el-canal-23-se-roba-el-rating/|date=December 3, 2004|page=3B|first=Daniel|last=Shoer Roth|langlanguage=es|trans-title=Channel 23 takes the ratings|title=El canal 23 se roba el 'rating'|newspaper=El Nuevo Herald|location=Miami, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 10, 2022|archive-date=July 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710072847/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105319451/el-canal-23-se-roba-el-rating/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->

The station's digital signal is [[multiplex (TV)|multiplexed]] and includes three of the four subchannels offered by WTVJ, which converted to [[ATSC 3.0]] (NextGen TV) broadcast in January 2023. WSCV's main subchannel is in turn offered on the WTVJ multiplex.{{r|rei}}

! scope = "row" | 51.1

! scope = "row" | 51.2

! scope = "row" | 51.4

! scope = "row" | [[WTVJ|6.1]]

! scope = "row" | [[WTVJ|6.2]]

! scope = "row" | [[WTVJ|6.3]]

WSCV ended programming on its analog signal, on [[Ultra high frequency|UHF]] channel 51, 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 moved from its pre-transition UHF channel 52, which was among the high band UHF channels (52-69) that were removed from broadcasting use as a result of the transition, to channel 30, continuing to use [[virtual channel]] 51.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829004251/http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 29, 2013 |title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and the Second Rounds |access-date=March 24, 2012}}</ref>

* {{Official website|https://www.telemundo51.com/}}