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WTXF is the FOX O&O station serving Philadelphia, PA on Channel 29, owned by FOX. The station began in 1965 as Independent WIBF-TV out of nearby Jenkintown, owned by William I. Fox (no connection with the present-day owners). Channel 29 was a competitive indy. In 1969, Taft Broadcasting purchased 29, and the call letters were changed to WTAF. They remained a powerhouse, owning the broadcast rights to the Phillies, the Flyers , and the 76ers . In 1983, when competitor WKBS-TV left the air, the station placed advertisements in TV Guide and local papers that despite the departure of Channel 48, they were still around, and that viewers still had them as a choice. In 1986, Channel 29 added a 10PM newscast, and in 1987, affiliated with the then-upstart FOX Network, owned by the FOX Broadcasting Company . The station was sold to TVX in 1988, and once again, the call letters changed, this time to WTXF. For many years, Channel 29 referred to themselves as "TV-29" in stationd IDs, show plugs, and other commercials, until 1990, when they changed to "FOX 29," giving full recognition to their network affiliation. Sometime in the early 1990s, Paramount purchased TVX, placing WTXF under their ownership. Paramount had originally considered dropping FOX programs from the station and converting it to UPN during one of the biggest shuffles in Philly history. At that time, CBS and Westinghouse (owners of then- NBC affiliate KYW ) had merged, and WCAU , the CBS O&O, had to be put up for sale. NBC and FOX were the two likely candidates, but NBC ended up with Channel 10, and Paramount decided to purchase WGBS 57 and bring UPN there instead. FOX would purchase Channel 29, making it a FOX O&O station in Philadelphia. The station ID changed to "FOX Philadelphia," but in 2003, changed back to "FOX 29."
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