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{{Infobox television station
| name = WTAF-TV
| location = [[Marion, Indiana]] | country = US
| analog = 31 ([[Ultra high frequency|UHF]])
| airdate = {{start date|1962|11|3}}
| owner = Geneco Broadcasting, Inc.
| erp = 21.9 kW<ref>{{cite web|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1968-69-TV-Factbook/TV-Factbook-1968-All.pdf|work=Television Factbook|date=1968|page=241-b|title=WTAF-TV|archive-date=August 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805021113/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1968-69-TV-Factbook/TV-Factbook-1968-All.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
| haat = {{cvt|250|ft|m}}
| coordinates = {{coord|40|33|26|N|85|39|52|W}}
| last_airdate = {{end date|1969|3|14}}
}}
'''WTAF-TV''' was a television station broadcasting on channel 31 in [[Marion, Indiana]], United States, between 1962 and 1969. An independent throughout its history, channel 31 was unable to develop a market between the established stations in [[Indianapolis]] and [[Fort Wayne, Indiana|Fort Wayne]], which impeded it from obtaining a network affiliation. Even though this crusade took an unexpectedly promising turn for the station, it did so too late to save it from bankruptcy and closure.

==History==
WTAF-TV went on the air on November 3, 1962. Its studios and transmitter, located in the Elks Club building in downtown Marion, broadcast a schedule of mostly syndicated reruns and films to the area; the station also aired a 10 p.m. nightly newscast, earlier than on most stations in the state.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83872268/tv-week-adds-marion-to-schedule/|title=TV Week Adds Marion To Schedule|work=The Indianapolis Star|date=November 4, 1962|page=TV Week 3|access-date=September 20, 2021|archive-date=September 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921012030/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83872268/tv-week-adds-marion-to-schedule/|url-status=live}}</ref> Channel 31 was originally owned by Geneco Broadcasting, Inc., headed by Eugene C. Thompson.<ref>{{Cite news|work=Broadcasting|date=May 28, 1962|page=59|title=WTAF-TV sets target date|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1962/1962-05-28-BC.pdf|access-date=September 20, 2021|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308043627/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1962/1962-05-28-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1963, Geneco filed to sell a majority stake in WTAF-TV to Northern Indiana Broadcasters, which owned radio stations in [[Michigan City, Indiana|Michigan City]] and [[Goshen, Indiana|Goshen]], for $66,740.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1963/1963-10-28-BC.pdf|date=October 28, 1963|work=Broadcasting|page=88|title=For the Record|access-date=September 20, 2021|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308044110/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1963/1963-10-28-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> This was revised to a $40,000 purchase for 60 percent of the station and approved by the [[Federal Communications Commission]] in January 1964.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1964/1964-01-06-BC.pdf|date=January 6, 1964|page=63|title=For the Record|work=Broadcasting|access-date=September 20, 2021|archive-date=September 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920212651/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1964/1964-01-06-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

From the outset, channel 31 sought network programming. However, the networks turned the station down, with Marion being adequately covered by their Indianapolis and Fort Wayne affiliates. This did not deter WTAF. After the CBS outlets in Indianapolis ([[WISH-TV]]) and Fort Wayne ([[WANE-TV]]) refused channel 31's overtures, it was successful at reaching an agreement with [[WLFI-TV|WFAM-TV]] in [[Lafayette, Indiana|Lafayette]], though this required construction of new microwave links.<ref>{{cite news|work=Broadcasting|page=56|title=A little cooperation pays big dividends|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1964/1964-06-29-BC.pdf|date=June 29, 1964|access-date=September 20, 2021|archive-date=September 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920212804/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1964/1964-06-29-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> This failed to materialize by January 1965, when the station was described as a potential customer of the system which would receive programming from [[WBBM-TV]] in [[Chicago]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1965/1965-01-11-BC.pdf|work=Broadcasting|date=January 11, 1965|title=Cox expands into another field|page=76|access-date=September 20, 2021|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308023241/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1965/1965-01-11-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Without a hookup, channel 31 banked on syndicated shows as well as local sports coverage and even [[Detroit Tigers]] baseball.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1965/1965-06-07-BC.pdf|date=June 7, 1965|work=Broadcasting|title=Like sports? Just tune in local TV|pages=57–64|access-date=September 20, 2021|archive-date=June 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629112908/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1965/1965-06-07-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1965/1965-07-26-BC.pdf|work=Broadcasting|date=July 26, 1965|page=82|title=Tigers' sponsors feted by Fetzer|access-date=September 20, 2021|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308050446/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1965/1965-07-26-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

Northern Indiana Broadcasters received permission in 1966 to construct a translator for WTAF-TV in [[Kokomo, Indiana|Kokomo]].<ref name="brandenburg">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83872652/jeffrey-against-marion-proposal/|title=Jeffrey against Marion proposal: 'Translator' TV is explained by manager|date=May 16, 1966|page=1|work=The Kokomo Morning Times|first=Chuck|last=Brandenburg|access-date=September 20, 2021|archive-date=September 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920212015/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83872652/jeffrey-against-marion-proposal/|url-status=live}}</ref> By this time, it partially rebroadcast the programming of [[WTTV]] in [[Bloomington, Indiana|Bloomington]], airing its lineup from 7 to 10 p.m.; sixty percent of its output consisted of live shows.{{r|brandenburg}} The expansion to Kokomo on translator W29AA also included addition of Kokomo-specific news and sports features to channel 31's programming.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83872554/tv-channel-for-kokomo-to-start-in/|title=TV Channel for Kokomo To Start in September|date=August 24, 1966|work=The Kokomo Tribune|page=15|access-date=September 20, 2021|archive-date=September 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921112816/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83872554/tv-channel-for-kokomo-to-start-in/|url-status=live}}</ref> The station went as far as to organize a beauty pageant in Kokomo the next year.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83872520/wtaf-tv-gets-franchise-for-beauty/|date=March 24, 1967|title=WTAF-TV Gets Franchise For Beauty Pageant Here|page=9|work=The Kokomo Tribune|access-date=September 20, 2021|archive-date=September 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921013322/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83872520/wtaf-tv-gets-franchise-for-beauty/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1968, a 76 percent stake in the station was sold to [[Andy Martin|Anthony R. Martin-Trigona]] for $157,000.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1968/1968-08-19-BC.pdf|date=August 19, 1968|title=Changing hands|page=44|work=Broadcasting|access-date=September 20, 2021|archive-date=August 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812031013/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1968/1968-08-19-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Almost immediately, the station became aggressive at making attempts to improve its position. In September, it petitioned for channel 31 to be changed to 17 at Marion.<ref>{{Cite news|title=For the Record|page=84|work=Broadcasting|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1968/1968-09-16-BC.pdf|date=September 16, 1968|access-date=September 20, 2021|archive-date=September 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920212337/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1968/1968-09-16-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> In January 1969, Martin-Trigona filed a $3 million antitrust lawsuit against CBS, [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]], Corinthian Broadcasting (owner of WISH and WANE), and [[Crosley Broadcasting Corporation|Avco]] (which owned the then-ABC affiliate in Indianapolis, [[WTHR|WLWI]]). It charged that the local CBS and ABC affiliates had blocked WTAF-TV from carrying the programs of those networks and claimed that the defendants were engaging in monopolistic practices.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83909656/marion-tv-station-sues-for-affiliation/|title=Marion TV Station Sues for Affiliation|date=January 23, 1969|page=8|work=The Muncie Star|agency=Associated Press|access-date=September 20, 2021|archive-date=September 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920212823/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83909656/marion-tv-station-sues-for-affiliation/|url-status=live}}</ref> WISH pointed out that Martin-Trigona previously claimed the station had "the most limited coverage of any commercial television station in the U.S." and had defined its problems not as a conspiracy but as a question of geography between two established markets.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1969/1969-02-24-BC.pdf|work=Broadcasting|date=February 24, 1969|pages=62, 63|title=WISH-TV disputes antitrust charges|access-date=September 20, 2021|archive-date=September 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920212033/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1969/1969-02-24-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Meanwhile, the FCC approved the assignment of a new channel to Marion, but instead of channel 17, which it worried could cause allocation problems in Chicago, it took channel 23 from [[Muncie, Indiana|Muncie]] and moved it to Marion.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83872447/marion-wants-muncie-uhf-tv-channel-23/|work=Muncie Evening Press|page=9|date=February 28, 1969|first=Lou|last=Hiner|title=Marion Wants Muncie UHF-TV Channel 23|access-date=September 20, 2021|archive-date=September 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920213354/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83872447/marion-wants-muncie-uhf-tv-channel-23/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On March 4, 1969, WTAF-TV announced it had secured what it had sought its entire history: a network affiliation. Martin-Trigona stated that the station would pick up an hour and a half of [[NBC]] prime-time programs a night in two weeks' time, which was needed to convert equipment to color.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83872405/marion-station-gets-nbc-link/|title=Marion Station Gets NBC Link|agency=UPI|work=The Indianapolis Star|page=34|date=March 6, 1966|access-date=September 20, 2021|archive-date=September 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921132910/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83872405/marion-station-gets-nbc-link/|url-status=live}}</ref> The station also held out hope that it could reach similar agreements with CBS and ABC.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1969/1969-03-10-BC.pdf|date=March 10, 1969|work=Broadcasting|page=53|title=WTAF(TV) Marion, Ind. gain NBC affiliation|access-date=September 20, 2021|archive-date=September 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920212825/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1969/1969-03-10-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> By then, however, financial troubles were quickly mounting. On February 26, WTAF-TV had filed for bankruptcy.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83872423/creditors-to-meet-wtaf-tv/|date=March 4, 1969|page=2|work=The Muncie Star|title=Creditors to Meet|agency=Associated Press|access-date=September 20, 2021|archive-date=September 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920212541/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83872423/creditors-to-meet-wtaf-tv/|url-status=live}}</ref> Geneco's stockholders voted to stop telecasting; at 5 p.m. on March 14, the station went off the air until it could improve its facilities.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83873083/company-manners-last-call-for-medicare/|first=David|last=Iliff|title=Company Manners: Last Call for Medicare Issued; Marion Television Station Quits|page=C-13|work=The Muncie Star|date=March 16, 1969|access-date=September 20, 2021|archive-date=September 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920212110/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83873083/company-manners-last-call-for-medicare/|url-status=live}}</ref> In informing the FCC of its silence, Geneco noted that it "cannot do justice to our new network affiliation and local program service need with present physical facility" but also that "operating losses impair the ability of the licensee to operate in the public interest".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-mar-18-1969-2646485/|title=Channel 3 Blank After Marion Quits|date=March 18, 1969|work=The Pharos-Tribune and Press|page=11|access-date=September 20, 2021|archive-date=September 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920212550/https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-mar-18-1969-2646485/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In July 1969, the WTAF-TV license was assigned to a court-appointed bankruptcy trustee, R. David Boyer.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1969/1969-07-21-BC.pdf|work=Broadcasting|date=July 21, 1969|page=76|title=For the Record|access-date=September 20, 2021|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308025921/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1969/1969-07-21-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The call letters on the license were changed to WSFD-TV.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1969/1969-09-22-BC.pdf|date=September 22, 1969|page=69|title=Call letter application|work=Broadcasting|access-date=September 20, 2021|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308043150/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1969/1969-09-22-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The designation was never used on air, and the license was deleted on August 24, 1970.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ymo6AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA71|page=71|title=26 FCC 2d 71: Memorandum Opinion and Order|date=October 14, 1970|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|archive-date=September 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924030045/https://books.google.com/books?id=ymo6AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA71&lpg=PA71|url-status=live}}</ref>

Meanwhile, Martin-Trigona continued his crusade against ABC, in which he owned one share, and tried to start a proxy fight in the company.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1969/1969-05-12-BC.pdf|date=May 12, 1969|work=Broadcasting|pages=54–55|title=A burr under ABC's saddle|access-date=September 20, 2021|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308030057/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1969/1969-05-12-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> An attempt to challenge the license renewals of 25 of ABC's affiliates was tossed by the FCC later in the year.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83872392/fcc-denies-marion-mans-demand-on-abc/|title=FCC Denies Marion Man's Demand on ABC|agency=UPI|page=13-C|work=The Muncie Star|date=December 14, 1969|access-date=September 20, 2021|archive-date=September 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920213128/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83872392/fcc-denies-marion-mans-demand-on-abc/|url-status=live}}</ref> He also challenged a merger of Corinthian with [[Dun & Bradstreet]], at which time ''[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]'' magazine called him "a persistent gadfly in broadcast matters".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1970/1970-11-30-BC.pdf|date=November 30, 1970|title=Split vote stalls Corinthian merger|pages=19–20|work=Broadcasting|access-date=September 20, 2021|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308040519/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1970/1970-11-30-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Indy TV}}
[[Category:Marion, Indiana]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1962]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations disestablished in 1969]]
[[Category:Defunct television stations in the United States]]
[[Category:Television stations in Indiana|TAF-TV]]
[[Category:1962 establishments in Indiana]]
[[Category:1969 disestablishments in Indiana]]
[[Category:Defunct mass media in Indiana|TAF-TV]]

WTAF-TV (Indiana) - Revision history

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