WVEA-TV

{{Infobox broadcast}} may refer to:

• Template:Infobox broadcasting network
• Template:Infobox television channel
• Template:Infobox television station

WVEA (channel 62) is Tampa Bay, Florida's first Spanish-language TV station, which had its start in the early-1980s as low-powered W50AC ch.50, which offered programming from the Spanish International Network (SIN), the forerunner of today's Univision. In 1988, to make way for new HSN flagship WBHS (now WFTT-TV), the station relocated to channel 61 and became W61BL. In the mid-1990s, the station was re-called "WVEA-LP". In 2000, WVEA's parent company, Entravision, acquired Sarasota English independent WBSV channel 62, with the intent of moving the transmitter from Venice to the antenna farm at Riverview.

WBSV signed on May 3, 1991 as the Sarasota area's own independent station, designed to compete against WWSB and the other stations in the Tampa Bay and nearby Ft. Myers markets. Licensed to Venice, Florida the call letters stood for Bradenton, Sarasota, Venice, the three cities it primarily served. WBSV had a variety of syndicated and local programming, plus infomercials and home shopping programs. early on, they also had its own newscast. But, WBSV was eternally in red ink, and relied more on home shopping and infomercials to keep the station afloat.

WBSV's history ended in early 2001, when the station left the air for a few weeks, to move the transmitter to Riverview, and establish WVEA's new studios. In March 2001, channel 61 moved to channel 62, which was re-called "WVEA-TV".

WVEA's current studios are located on Hillsborough Avenue in Tampa, in a former Barnett Bank building west of Armenia Avenue. WVEA also is partnered with the Univision-owned WFTT channel 50, on a channel that was once WVEA's first home.

WVEA is now operating a full powered DTV transmitter in Riverview. In addition to its main channel, WVEA also offers LATV on digital subchannel 25.2 / 62.2.

WVEA hasn't left its low-powered roots completely -- it operates a low-powered channel in downtown Tampa as WVEA-LP channel 46, which covers most of Tampa, into Pinellas County, and currently carries the Home Shopping Network.

WVEA can be seen on Bright House and Comcast cable -- channel 8 in Hillsborough, channel 7 in Pinellas and channel 15 in Manatee and Sarasota counties.

Former anchors/reporters

- Daniel Arreola (a popular sports anchor for the station from April 2002-August 2004) moved on to work back home in Southern California. During his stint at Univisión Tampa, Arreola made his first national television appearance on Telefutura's "Contacto Deportivo" with a feature on New York Yankees pitcher José Contreras. In addition to that his exclusive interview with Yankees third baseman Alex Rodríguez made it to "Contacto Deportivo". Arreola came up with catch phrase during highlights such as "¡Huele a touchdown, parece touchdown y sí es!" and "¡Vete a la banca!" He is now announcing soccer matches for Fox Soccer Channel and for Fox Sports International's English SAP channel.

-Sharon Miranda (former entertainment anchor) now works at Central Florida News 13, a 24-hour cable news station in Orlando, Florida, where she grew up.

-Idamis Toledo (former weather anchor) moved on to work as a news anchor/reporter for KVDA-TV, an Telemundo O&O in San Antonio, Texas.

-Veronica Grauer ( former News Reporter, Interim News Producer and Special Segment Producer from November 1999 to Novoember 2001) In 2002 Grauer became the News Anchor, Producer and News Director for Telemundo 49 WRMD, in Tampa FL. She was Responsible for presenting and preparing a daily 10-minutes local newscast taped at local T.V. Station Fox 13 WTVT, also reported daily news as well as news targeted to the Hispanic Community. Reported news On-Air and in the field while coordinated news room activity during breaking news such special hurricane coverage. Wrote and voice a great number of commercial spots, station Id’s and holiday promos. Attended community events and represented Telemundo in local community. Now Veronica Grauer is the Director of Hispanic Initiatives for a public relations agency,TLS MEDIA in Tampa, Florida.

External links

• Template:TVQ
  • Template:TVQ
• Template:BIA
• mcsittel.com: 1990s DX screengrabs from Tallahassee -- includes a 1993 WBSV test pattern