WTSP

WTSP (channel 10) is a television station in St. Petersburg, Florida, United States, that serves the Tampa Bay area. It is part of the CBS network and is owned by Tegna, a subsidiary of Nexstar Media Group. Tegna also owns several other stations in the area, including NBC affiliate WFLA-TV (channel 8), CW station WTTA (channel 38), and WSNN-LD (channel 39).

The station began broadcasting on July 18, 1965, originally as an ABC affiliate. Over the years, it has changed ownership and news ratings. In 1994, WTSP switched to become a CBS affiliate. It has usually been in second or third place in local news ratings. In 2026, Tegna merged with Nexstar Media Group, which already owned several other local stations.

History

When the Federal Communications Commission gave out television channels in 1952, the Tampa Bay area got several. In 1955, three men from St. Petersburg started a company and asked for channel 10. After many applicants and talks, the FCC gave the channel to a group called the Rahall group in 1964.

WLCY-TV started broadcasting on July 18, 1965, and later joined ABC. In 1977, Gulf United Corporation bought the station and changed its name to WTSP. Over time, WTSP switched from ABC to CBS in 1994. In 1996, Jacor Communications bought WTSP and then sold it to the Gannett Company. In 2015, Gannett split into two companies, and WTSP joined Tegna. As of March 19, 2026, Nexstar Media Group bought Tegna, but a court stopped the full joining of the stations.

News operation

WLCY-TV started its news program in 1965. The team was small but tried new ideas. In 1975, a reporter named Arch Deal joined the station. In 1977, Todd Spoeri became the general manager and made changes.

Later, the station added new features like a helicopter for live coverage. By the mid-1980s, it was doing well but sometimes fell behind.

In 1989, two employees used secret information from another station. They were fired, and the station paid a fine. After that, the station kept trying to improve.

In 2002, the station added a program called Life Around the Bay about local events. By 2017, it had a new morning show called 10News Brightside about stories people were talking about.

Today, WTSP works hard to bring news to its viewers.

Former notable on-air staff

Here are some people who used to work at WTSP as reporters, anchors, or weather experts:

• Jane Akre – reporter and anchor, 1992–1994
• Bubba the Love Sponge – commentator, 2011
• Michelle Caruso-Cabrera – reporter, 1994–1998
• Dick Crippen – sports director, 1965–1981
• Arch Deal – news director and anchor, 1975–1977
• Mike Deeson – investigative reporter, 1982–2017
• Rich Fields – meteorologist, 2017-2023
• Rob Finnerty – morning anchor, 2017–2020
• Dick Fletcher – chief meteorologist, 1980–2008
• Jineane Ford – anchor and reporter, 1989–1991
• Gina Gaston – anchor/reporter
• Don Harrison – anchor, 1979–1981
• Wally Kinnan – chief meteorologist, 1978–1980
• Dion Lim – evening anchor, 2014–2017
• Miles O'Brien – reporter, 1985–1986
• Noah Pransky – investigative reporter, 2009–2018
• Simeon Rice – co-host of The Blitz, a local football show for the 2021 season
• Craig Sager – weatherman and sports anchor/reporter, around 1975
• Tammie Souza – chief meteorologist, 2008–2011

Technical information

WTSP's main transmitter is located near Riverview. It also broadcasts from a digital replacement translator near Hernando. The station began its digital signal on May 15, 2000, on UHF channel 24 from its site near Holiday. It stopped analog broadcasting on June 12, 2009, as part of the digital television transition.

In 2011, WTSP moved to Riverview. To help people in areas with a weak signal, the station built a digital translator at Hernando. This serves places including Crystal River, Beverly Hills, and Inverness. WTSP is also available in ATSC 3.0 (NextGen TV) on the signal of WMOR-TV (channel 32).