History of Bay News 9 in Timeline

Spectrum Bay News 9 is a 24-hour cable news network serving the Tampa Bay area in Florida. Owned by Charter Communications, it is exclusive to Spectrum subscribers and provides continuous news coverage to Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee, Polk, Pasco, Hernando, and Citrus counties. Besides rolling news, the station also broadcasts special programming, including the weekly political show Political Connections.

May 1997: Elliott Wiser Hired

In May 1997, Elliott Wiser was hired by Time Warner Cable as General Manager to create Bay News 9.

September 24, 1997: Bay News 9 Begins Broadcasting

On September 24, 1997, Bay News 9 began operating, providing weather updates every 10 minutes.

1999: Bay News 9 Weather Now Launched

In 1999, Bay News 9 Weather Now was launched, providing local forecasts 24 hours a day.

1999: "Health Team 9" Introduced

In 1999, Bay News 9 introduced "Health Team 9," a team of practicing doctors and a licensed psychologist employed by the channel to serve as experts reporting on a variety of medical issues.

1999: David Logan's death

In 1999, David Logan, host of the nightly half-hour sports highlight program Toyota Sports Connection, passed away. Rock Riley assumed hosting duties thereafter.

2001: Toyota Sports Connection timeslot change

In 2001, Toyota Sports Connection moved to 11:00 p.m. timeslot.

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March 2002: Bay News 9 en Español Launched

In March 2002, Bay News 9 en Español launched, becoming the country’s first local news channel in Spanish.

2002: VIPIR Doppler weather radar system debut

In 2002, Bay News 9 was the first TV station in the area to provide a VIPIR Doppler weather radar system.

2004: Bay News 9 Travel Weather Now Relaunched

In 2004, Bay News 9 Travel Weather Now was relaunched as a 24-hour weather network geared towards business travelers.

2005: Political Connections Debuts

In 2005, Bay News 9 debuted the half-hour political discussion program Political Connections as part of a partnership between Bay News 9 and the Tampa Bay Times.

2006: Alan Winfield joins a religious ministry

In 2006, Alan Winfield left Bay News 9 full-time to join a religious ministry, only working during hurricanes afterwards.

2006: Bay News 9 HD Launched

In the spring of 2006, Bay News 9 HD was launched, resulting in an extensive graphical overhaul to Bay News 9.

2007: Dual-Pole Doppler Radar system launch

In 2007, Bay News 9 became the first station in Florida to provide a Dual-Pole Doppler Radar system.

March 2008: News Cycle Revamped

In March 2008, Bay News 9 revamped its news cycle, eliminating the "Beyond the Bay" segment and replacing it with the Extra segment. Traffic segments on weekends have also been eliminated in recent years.

December 2008: Jen Holloway leaves, Erica Riggins replaces her

In December 2008, Jen Holloway left Bay News 9 to join Bright House Networks as a marketing spokesperson. Weekend morning anchor Erica Riggins replaced her spot.

January 5, 2009: Klystron 9 Doppler Radar System Launched

On January 5, 2009, Bay News 9 launched its upgraded doppler radar system called Klystron 9, capable of seeing weather features in greater detail than other Doppler radar systems. Klystron 9 combines dual Polarimetry radar, Klystron tube, Pulse compression technology and a 1.25-million watt transmitter, making it the most powerful television radar in the world.

October 2009: Travel Weather Now Name Revised

In October 2009, Bright House Networks revised Travel Weather Now's name to Bright House Networks Travel Weather Now.

December 2010: News 13 added to Tampa Market

In December 2010, Bright House began carrying Orlando-based sister channel News 13 in the Tampa market on digital channel 1213.

2010: Spanish language game telecasts started

In 2010, InfoMás began Spanish language game telecasts from the Tampa Bay Rays and Miami Marlins Major League Baseball, and Orlando Magic NBA franchises.

2010: Toyota Sports Connection moved to Bright House Sports Network

In 2010, Toyota Sports Connection was moved to Bright House Sports Network, retaining its 11:00 p.m. timeslot.

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March 11, 2011: Bright House Announces Merger of Spanish-Language News Channels

On March 11, 2011, Bright House Networks announced that it would merge Bay News 9 and Central Florida News 13's respective Spanish-language news channels into a single regional channel, InfoMás.

June 2011: "Medical Beat" and "Health Watch" segments replaced

In June 2011, the "Medical Beat" segment was replaced with "Priority Health," and the "Health Watch" segment was replaced with "Health Headlines."

July 12, 2011: InfoMás Regional Network Launched

On July 12, 2011, the regional network InfoMás was launched.

October 20, 2011: Bay News 9 and InfoMás Begin Broadcasting in High Definition

On October 20, 2011, Bay News 9 and sister network InfoMás began broadcasting their news programming in high definition, with programming being upgraded to the 16:9 aspect ratio and the introduction of a revised graphics package.

2011: Dolphin Tale Filmed at Bay News 9

In 2011, the film Dolphin Tale featured scenes filmed at Bay News 9's St. Petersburg studio facility.

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August 2012: Vino Vino Nominated for Cable FAX Award

In August 2012, Vino Vino, the wine review program hosted by Elliott Wiser on Tampa Bay on Demand, was nominated for a Cable FAX Award for "Best Video on Demand Program".

August 7, 2013: Bay News 9 Moved to Channel 9 in Pasco County

On August 7, 2013, Bright House Networks moved Bay News 9 to channel 9 in Pasco County, making Bay News 9 available on all of Bright House's cable systems in the Tampa Bay area.