WCLF Television: The History of a Christian Broadcaster in Florida
The landscape of Florida broadcasting in the late 1970s saw the emergence of several niche stations aimed at serving specific community needs. Among these was WCLF, a non-profit television station dedicated to telecasting Christian programming in the Tampa Bay area. Its journey from a permit application to a fully operational broadcaster is a story of persistence, legal hurdles, and community partnership.
The Path to Broadcasting
The origins of WCLF began in August 1977 when Bob D'Andrea, a local electric contractor and born-again Christian, applied for a construction permit to build a station on Tampa's then-unused channel 28. However, competition quickly arose when the Family Television Corporation filed a second application for the same channel—an effort that would eventually lead to the creation of WFTS-TV five years later.
Faced with this competition, D'Andrea's group, reorganized as the Christian Television Corporation, amended its application to target channel 22 in Clearwater. This move proved successful, and the group was granted a construction permit in February 1979. While waiting for the permit, the station began airing prime-time programming on WKID-TV in Fort Lauderdale. Once the permit was awarded, interim operations were established at D'Andrea's electrical company in Largo, and construction began on a transmitter facility shared with WTSP-TV.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Launch and Programming
WCLF officially began broadcasting on October 24, 1979. While the station operated from temporary quarters, permanent studios were being constructed on land donated by Florida Beacon College, a local Christian institution.
The station's content strategy combined national religious syndication with local productions. WCLF aired well-known national programs such as The PTL Club and The 700 Club. To serve the local community, the station launched its own original content, including:
- Horizons 22: A feature program originally co-hosted by Bob Wells and his wife Barbara. Bob Wells, who also served as program director, brought experience from Cleveland, where he had worked as a weatherman and comedy personality for WJW-TV and general manager of WSUM radio.
- Joy Junction: A dedicated children's program.
Operational Challenges and Controversies
The growth of WCLF was not without friction. As construction of the Beacon College studios continued into 1980, the station encountered significant fire code issues. These disputes escalated into lawsuits filed by both the city of Largo and Pinellas County.
Internal turmoil also touched the station's leadership. In 1981, board member John Wesley Fletcher resigned after being disfellowshipped by the Assemblies of God. Fletcher would later become a figure of interest in the financial scandal surrounding the PTL ministry.
Key Facts
- Founded by: Bob D'Andrea and the Christian Television Corporation.
- Launch Date: October 24, 1979.
- Channel: Channel 22 (Clearwater).
- Primary Mission: Non-profit Christian programming.
- Key Local Shows: Horizons 22 and Joy Junction.
- Studio Location: Land donated by Florida Beacon College.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Original Permit Application | August 1977 (Channel 28) |
| Final Assigned Channel | Channel 22 |
| Construction Permit Date | February 1979 |
| Broadcasting Start Date | October 24, 1979 |
| Shared Transmitter Site | WTSP-TV |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did WCLF change from channel 28 to channel 22?
WCLF originally applied for channel 28, but the Family Television Corporation also applied for the same frequency. To avoid the conflict and secure a permit, the Christian Television Corporation amended its application to channel 22 in Clearwater.
Who was Bob Wells in relation to WCLF?
Bob Wells served as the station's program director and was the original co-host of the feature program Horizons 22 alongside his wife, Barbara.
What legal issues did the station face?
The station faced lawsuits from the city of Largo and Pinellas County due to fire code violations during the construction of its studios at Beacon College.
Which national programs were aired on WCLF?
WCLF broadcasted several national Christian ministries, most notably The PTL Club and The 700 Club.
Who was John Wesley Fletcher?
John Wesley Fletcher was a member of the WCLF board who resigned in 1981 after being disfellowshipped by the Assemblies of God; he was later involved in the PTL financial scandal.