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WJXT-Channel 4's potential split with CBS over contract negotiations has local television officials on standby. Nearly everyone stands to gain, they say.
I have every belief WJXT will remain a CBS affiliate," WJWBChannel 17 President and General Manager Mike Liff said. "But its fun to talk about."
One thing is certain. "Chemistries will change," First Coast News General Manager Ken Tonning said.
An independent deal could mean a cash flood for WJXT The Post Newsweek-owned station would control, sell and keep all revenue from its air time without having to battle CBS over compensation issues.
First Coast News, which simulcasts news programming on WTLVChannel 12, the local NBC affiliate, and WJXX- Channel 25, an ABC station, would "become the more stable force in the market," Tonning said.
WTEV-Channel 47, a UPN affiliate that shares news operations with WAWS-Channel 30, a Fox affiliate, is the most likely candidate for a new CBS deal, local officials say. A CBS affiliation would give Clear Channel AFC and NFC football.
"They'd have a lock on football in North Florida," Liff said. An affiliation switch is unlikely, however, Vice President and General Manager Susan Adams Loyd said. WTEV's UPN contract doesn't run out until well after WJXT's CBS deal is up.
WJWB-17, a Warner Brothers affiliate, likely would remain status quo, Liff said. Officials aren't interested in dropping the $3 million to $5 million it takes to begin a news operation from scratch.
"Anything could happen," he said. But WJWB's contract with WB...