Miami’s television landscape is experiencing a significant shakeup. ABC is moving its affiliation from longtime home WPLG to a subchannel of Sunbeam’s WSVN, WSVN 7.2. WPLG, owned by Berkshire Hathaway and an ABC affiliate since the 1960s, will drop the network on August 3, 2025. WSVN will pick up the affiliation on August 4, 2025.
“When the opportunity to affiliate with ABC became available, we knew that our combined resources would allow us to develop an extremely strong partnership. Sunbeam Television Corporation has a proven track record as a competitive broadcaster,” stated Paul Magnes, co-president of Sunbeam Television Corporation.
WPLG will become an independent station. The new channel will be branded as “ABC Miami.” Sunbeam hasn’t revealed if WSVN will produce newscasts for 7.2 or utilize its distinctive “Newsplex” format. WSVN's news style, known for its highly produced broadcasts, might not resonate with viewers accustomed to WPLG's style.
“You’ll catch on,” promised WSVN anchor Belkys Nerey. “Twice the fun,” she added.
Potential conflicts exist in local newscast scheduling, particularly between WSVN's “Today in Florida” and “Good Morning America.” These conflicts could be resolved by creating separate newscasts or simulcasting.
WSVN plans a marketing campaign to manage the transition. The future of Free TV Networks LLC’s 365BLK, currently airing on 7.2, is uncertain.
WPLG will retain its “Local 10” branding. “We made a generous offer to ABC, but it became clear the two sides were not going to agree to a new deal,” said WPLG’s President and CEO E.R. Bert Medina.
Placing a major network affiliate on a subchannel in a large market is unusual. WPLG’s move reflects factors like high affiliate fees and changing viewing habits. “Our job is to serve this community with news and local programming, that’s why we have an FCC license. If we agreed to the ABC terms, that mission would have suffered,” Medina explained, citing the increasing lack of network exclusivity and ABC's live-streaming of the Oscars.
As an independent, WPLG may air more local news and syndicated programming. ABC Miami could benefit from the popularity of shows like “Good Morning America” and “ABC World News Tonight.”