May 12, 2006 – The FOX television station broadcasting in the territory will soon be a locally owned affiliate. Caribbean Broadcasting Network, which also owns the local NBC and CBS affiliates as well as stations in Puerto Rico, will begin broadcasting FOX as WEON-TV on Aug. 1.
FOX favorites like "American Idol," "The Simpsons," "24," "House," and "Prison Break" will continue to be broadcast on the locally-owned FOX station.
"All national programming will continue," Caribbean Broadcasting promotions manager Terri Fuentes said Friday from the company base in Los Angeles.
She said the station will broadcast 24 hours a day.
Fuentes said the station will select programming for times when national program doesn't air.
Caribbean Broadcasting owner Keith Bass said in a news release that the company will tailor its offerings to the local market.
"We are excited to bring more youth-oriented shows to the Virgin Islands with FOX programming," Bass said.
Fuentes said the station plans to run a contest where the winner will be flown to an "American Idol" location next season for an audition.
"Then it's up to them with their talent," Fuentes said. She added "American Idol" is currently the hottest show in broadcasting.
Fuentes said the company is also looking at developing local programming, adding that the station will run a community bulletin board on the FOX channel.
The Los Angeles-based company got its feet wet in the Virgin Islands market when it began airing National Public Radio in 2002.
The company added the NBC affiliate, WVGN, in 2003 and the CBS affiliate, WVXF, in 2004.
