For more than 60 years, WPTV has been the area's news leader and most-watched station. WPTV began broadcasting on August 22, 1954, as the primary NBC affiliate for South Florida with the call letters WJNO-TV. At sign-on, the first words heard on-air were from control room director Vern Crawford: "The power has just been turned on for WJNO-TV channel 5 by Frank M. We know some of the main reasons p
eople live in South Florida are the sunshine, beaches and warm weather. At WPTV, that's what we're all about: protecting our paradise and our Florida lifestyle, so our neighbors can take the most advantage of the beautiful place they live. We cover stories that are urgent, impactful and relevant to our smart, savvy, self-reliant viewers. WPTV reserves the right to ban users who use racist, bigoted, vile or violent language or imagery, who threaten others, wish violence upon others, who post comments having nothing to do with the stories on this page or who troll our stories repeatedly from real or anonymous accounts. Please be respectful.