
About
WNYW operates as the primary broadcast outlet for the Fox network right in the heart of New York City. This channel 5 station serves as the flagship property for the entire Fox Television Stations division, anchoring the broadcaster's presence in the nation's largest media market. The station maintains a unique relationship with its sister property, WWOR-TV in Secaucus, New Jersey. Both outlets share studio facilities at the Fox Television Center located on East 67th Street within Manhattan's Lenox Hill neighborhood, creating a centralized hub for regional operations.
Since launching on May 2, 1944, as WABD, the station has been a constant fixture in American broadcasting history. It holds the distinction of being the first commercial television station in New York City to be owned by a major network, initially affiliated with the DuMont Television Network. Over the decades, the call letters have shifted from WNEW-TV to WWOR-TV before settling on WNYW in 1979 when it acquired the Fox affiliation. The current branding as FOX 5 solidified its identity as the network's flagship station, serving millions of viewers across New York City, Long Island, New Jersey, and parts of Connecticut and Pennsylvania.
The station functions as a critical hub for regional news, weather, traffic, and sports coverage. Its morning program, Good Day New York, launched in 1986 and remains a staple of the local schedule. As part of Fox Corporation following the 2019 spin-off, WNYW continues to test new programming formats and anchor the network's influence in the tri-state area. Recent broadcasts have covered everything from viral animal sightings in the Bronx to high-profile legal cases involving former law enforcement officers.
Mission
WNYW provides comprehensive local and national news, emergency information, weather forecasting, and entertainment programming to the New York metropolitan area. As the flagship station, it plays a critical role in anchoring the Fox network's presence in the region, often serving as the testbed for new Fox programming and news formats.
History
The station began broadcasting on May 2, 1944, under the call sign WABD. It was the first commercial TV station in New York City owned by a major network, originally airing content from the DuMont Television Network. In 1958, the station joined CBS and changed its calls to WNEW-TV. The ownership structure evolved again in 1963 when it became WWOR-TV before finally adopting the WNYW callsign in 1979 after securing the Fox affiliation.
Ownership transitions continued through the decades. The station moved from DuMont to Paramount Pictures via Viacom, and later settled under the Fox Corporation umbrella following the 2019 spin-off of 21st Century Fox assets. Throughout these changes, the station maintained its position as a dominant force in the New York media landscape. The launch of Good Day New York in 1986 marked a significant milestone, establishing a dominant morning news format that continues to draw large audiences today.
In recent years, the station has expanded its digital footprint through its website fox5ny.com and various social media channels. This expansion allows WNYW to reach audiences beyond traditional broadcast boundaries while maintaining its physical presence at the Fox Television Center on East 67th Street. The facility serves as a shared operational hub for Fox's New York operations alongside WWOR-TV.
Subdivisions
News Division
Produces local news broadcasts throughout the day and evening, covering breaking news, politics, crime, and community events.
Sports Department
Covers local teams including the Yankees, Mets, Knicks, Nets, Giants, Jets, Rangers, and Islanders, alongside syndicated sports programming.
Notable People
Tom Scott
Anchor · 2000s-Present
Long-time lead anchor for local news broadcasts.
Milestones
1944
Station launches as WABD, becoming the first commercial TV station in NYC.
1958
Becomes WNEW-TV and joins the CBS network.
1979
Acquires the Fox affiliation and changes call letters to WNYW.
1986
Launches 'Good Day New York,' establishing a dominant morning news format.
2019
Ownership consolidates under Fox Corporation following the Disney-Fox merger.
Departments
Sources
Organization Info
- Founded
- May 2, 1944
- Headquarters
- 205 East 67th Street, New York, NY 10021
- Country
- United States
- Parent
- Fox Corporation
- Type
- Media
- Channel
- 5
- Network
- Fox
- Parent Company
- Fox Corporation
Official Website
www.fox5ny.com/
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