WBFS-TV: The Evolution of Miami's CW 33

In the competitive landscape of South Florida broadcasting, WBFS-TV stands as a resilient fixture of the Miami-Fort Lauderdale market. Known today as CW Miami 33, the station has navigated a complex journey through various network affiliations, ownership changes, and technical transitions since its inception in the early 1980s.

From its early days as an aggressive independent station to its current role as a CW affiliate under the ownership of CBS News and Stations, WBFS has mirrored the broader shifts in the American television industry.

A white 33 encased in a red border with diagonal cuts. The call sign "WBFS-TV" appears below in black. — WBFS's original Grant double-sided logo, used from 1984 to 1995.

Key Facts

Founded: February 2, 1983 (First aired December 9, 1984).
Current Affiliation: The CW (since September 1, 2024).
Ownership: CBS News and Stations.
Virtual Channel: 33 (Digital Channel 32).
Sister Station: WFOR-TV.
Transmitter Location: Andover, Florida.

The Early Years and Financial Turmoil

WBFS-TV was established in 1984, marking the first successful attempt to activate a full-power station on channel 33 in Miami. It served as the flagship station for the Grant Broadcasting System. Grant utilized an aggressive strategy for program purchasing and promotion to make the station a competitive independent force in South Florida.

However, this rapid expansion came at a high cost. By December 8, 1986, Grant Broadcasting filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to shield itself from syndicators. Despite these financial struggles, WBFS was the most economically viable of Grant's three stations, though it still faced significant losses in the mid-1980s.

Growth and Network Affiliations

Following the bankruptcy, the station was managed by a consortium of creditors known as Combined. During this era, WBFS became a hub for local sports, serving as the over-the-air home for the NBA's Miami Heat starting in 1988, as well as the Florida Marlins (MLB) and Florida Panthers (NHL) in 1993.

In October 1994, the Paramount Stations Group purchased WBFS-TV. This led to the station joining the United Paramount Network (UPN) at its launch on January 16, 1995.

WBFS-TV's UPN33 logo, used from 2002 to 2006.

The early 2000s brought further consolidation. When Viacom merged with CBS in 2000, WBFS became a sister station to WFOR-TV. Operations were consolidated in Doral, and the two stations began sharing management and resources.

A four-quadrant rounded rectangle, from top left: blue, dark gray, light gray, light blue. In the blue box, the lowercase word "my" in white in a sans serif. In the lower lower right box, a black 33 in a sans serif. Beneath are two lines: WBFS-TV / Miami • Fort Lauderdale — WBFS' first logo as a MyNetworkTV affiliate, used from 2006 to 2010.

In 2006, the television landscape shifted again with the creation of The CW. WBFS was passed over for The CW affiliation and instead joined MyNetworkTV, a service it aired until 2022.

A four-quadrant rounded rectangle, from top left: blue, dark gray, light gray, light orange. In the blue box, the lowercase word "my" in white in a sans serif. In the lower lower right box, a white 33 in a sans serif. — WBFS' second logo as a MyNetworkTV affiliate, used from 2011 to 2022.

The Path to The CW

After a two-year period operating as an independent station starting in 2022, WBFS entered a new era. On September 1, 2024, as part of an agreement with Nexstar Media Group, WBFS officially became the CW affiliate for the Miami market, taking over the role previously held by WSFL.

A silver 33 in a sans serif on an orange circle trimmed in silver — Former logo as an independent, first used from 2010 to 2011, then from 2022 to 2024.

Local Programming and Sports

WBFS has consistently evolved its local content. In July 2022, the station reintroduced a prime-time newscast at 9 p.m. While it initially used the CBS News Now format, it later transitioned to a locally produced newscast anchored by Jim Berry and Najahe Sherman. A morning newscast from 7 to 8 a.m. was also restored in January 2024.

Sports remain a core part of the station's identity. In 2020, WBFS partnered with WFOR-TV to carry regionally televised matches for Inter Miami CF. Additionally, the station announced an agreement to simulcast 15 Miami Marlins games in 2025.

Technical Specifications

WBFS-TV operates with an Effective Radiated Power (ERP) of 1,000 kW and a Height Above Average Terrain (HAAT) of 296.9 meters. The station transitioned from analog to digital broadcasting on June 12, 2009, moving its signal to UHF channel 32 while maintaining virtual channel 33.

The station utilizes a multiplexed signal to provide several subchannels:

WBFS-TV Digital Subchannels
Channel	Resolution	Programming
33.1	1080i	The CW
33.2	480i	Movies!
33.3	480i	Charge!
33.4	480i	Comet
33.5	480i	Story Television
33.6	480i	Roar
33.7	480i	MeTV Toons

Frequently Asked Questions

Who owns WBFS-TV?

WBFS-TV is owned by CBS News and Stations, operating as a sister station to WFOR-TV in the Miami market.

What network is WBFS-TV currently affiliated with?

As of September 1, 2024, WBFS-TV is the affiliate for The CW in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area.

When did WBFS-TV start broadcasting?

The station was founded on February 2, 1983, and first aired on December 9, 1984.

What sports teams have been broadcast on WBFS?

The station has a long history of sports broadcasting, including the Miami Heat, Florida Marlins, Florida Panthers, and more recently, Inter Miami CF.

What is the difference between the digital and virtual channel for WBFS?

WBFS-TV broadcasts its digital signal on UHF channel 32, but viewers identify it as virtual channel 33 on their television sets.