'Positively Jax Day' event collects more than 21,000 pounds of food

To say the first-ever Positively Jax Day, in Jacksonville, was a success, would be a massive understatement.

WJXT and WCWJ viewers and readers truly outdid themselves. When it came to the Positively Jax food drive, people came out in droves to donate canned fruits and vegetables, cereal and other non-perishable goods to help feed families in need all across the area.

The results were staggering: The station collected more than 21,000 pounds of food. That’s more than 10 tons, or the weight of an average-sized elephant. Plus, the community donated more than $5,300 to Feeding Northeast Florida.

Combined, those donations work out to roughly 50,000 meals for families who don’t know where their next meal is coming from.

Here is a massive THANK YOU to everyone who chipped in, whether the contribution meant dropping off food, donating money to this worthy cause, or volunteering time and energy.

The work isn’t done just yet.

While the food drive was a strong start, the next goal is to share 1,000 good deeds (or Random "Jax" of Kindness), happening around town.

The next Positively Jax event is set for Feb. 20.

The station will host a Positively Jax Community Cleanup with Beaches Go Green, and is welcoming volunteers to pick up litter at three sites throughout the community.

WJXT studio manager celebrates 50 years with the station

Fifty years is a long time to do anything.

The year Freddie Rhodes started at WJXT-TV, a gallon of gas cost 40 cents, the microprocessor was first invented and Disney World opened in Orlando.

Five decades later, this beloved gentle giant is still keeping the team in line in Jacksonville -- and blessing the community.

A deacon at Cathedral of Faith Church of God in Christ, Rhodes is constantly doing things for others. He’s been a devoted husband for 40 years, raised five sons and now has nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

A 53-year broadcast radio veteran, Rhodes -- who is legendary for his baritone voice and size 17 shoes -- clearly has no problems committing.

His wife, Sara, describes him as mild, meek, humble, loving and caring.

News4Jax celebrated with Freddie five years ago for his 45th anniversary, so the station knew it had to come back even bigger this year.

Channel 4 got even more folks in on our celebration.

From one News4Jax legend to another, “Fifty years. Congratulations, Freddie,” said retired WJXT Chief Meteorologist George Winterling. “God bless you in all that you do. It’s your old friend, George.”

Mayor Lenny Curry even recognized Rhodes' long term of exceptional service with News4Jax, and declared Jan. 15, 2021, as Freddie Rhodes Day in Jacksonville.

The mayor said he encourages “all citizens to strive each day to display the compassion for others and the unparalleled work ethic that Freddie has shown each day for the last 50 years.”

Along with his work at WJXT, Rhodes is the program director for Gospel station WCGL Victory AM 1360 in Jacksonville. He’s an award-winning announcer who’s been in radio longer than in TV, and he’s well-known in the industry.

“I want to take this time to congratulate my man, Freddie Rhodes. You know you’re one of my favorites. God bless you and may you have many, many more years,” said gospel musician Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson.

Freddie is motivated by his family and his faith.

Congrats on 50 wonderful years!

Read more.

WJXT proves to be most trusted source for local news in Northeast Florida, South Georgia during COVID-19 pandemic

Jacksonville has spoken: The majority of people choose one local news organization above all others when it mattered most.

News4JAX is, once again, Jacksonville’s top choice for local news, winning all local news time periods from early morning through late night, as it was announced this week by WJXT Vice President and General Manager Bob Ellis.

News4JAX had the most adults ages 25 to 54 as viewers for the recently concluded May ratings period, according to independent ratings data released by the Nielsen Company, the demographic coveted most by advertisers. News4JAX.com was also the most viewed website, according to independent data released by comScore.

Morning News is No. 1 for all major demos, and leads the way with News4JAX at 4:30 a.m. earning 5,000 A25-54 viewers and a 7-share.

News4JAX at 5 a.m. is No. 1 in the time period with 7,000 A25-54 viewers. At 5:30 a.m., News4JAX won with 10,000 A25-54 viewers, more than doubling the nearest competitor.

News4JAX at 6 a.m. is No. 1 with adults in the 6 to 7 a.m. time period, bringing in more than 13,000 A25-54 viewers and a 16-share, nearly three times the closest competitor.

The Morning Show (7 to 9 a.m.), anchored by Jennifer Waugh, Bruce Hamilton and Richard Nunn, is No. 1 in the time period with 16,000 A25-54 viewers and a 16-share. That is growth of three share points compared to a year ago, and beat all other newscasts, including the national broadcasts of NBC’s "Today" on WTLV, CBS "This Morning" on WJAX, ABC’s "Good Morning America" on WJXX and other local newscast in the time period on WFOX.

At 9 a.m., The Morning Show 2 beats "Today" by 54% with 12,000 A25-54 viewers.

“There has never been a time when news has been more important than during the COVID-19 pandemic," Ellis said. "To again be the top choice for our community from morning through night, day-in and day-out, for this critical information confirms the people of Jacksonville want news from a trusted source. As Jacksonville’s only truly local television, we are very proud to lead the market again, and it confirms our goal to serve our community continues to resonate.”

In early evening news, in addition to winning the A25-54 demo, News4JAX also had the most year-to-year ratings growth.

News4JAX at 4 p.m. had 8,000 A25-54 viewers, beating Action News Jax at 4 p.m., "Dr. Phil," "Judge Judy" and "Ellen."

News4JAX at 5 p.m. is most-watched in the time period with 13,000 A25-54 viewers. News4JAX at 5:30 p.m. is No. 1 in the time period with 15,000 A25-54 viewers. News4JAX at 6 p.m., anchored by Mary Baer, Tom Wills and John Gaughan, is No. 1 with 17,000 A25-54 viewers and a 12-share.

“The growth of our news ratings during the pandemic is a testament to the hard work by our staff to deliver quality, trusted content and reports facts and not create fear,” Ellis said. “With more anchors and reporters people know and trust, there really is a difference between the local news outlets in Jacksonville. It’s clear our community appreciates and recognizes that fact.”

News4JAX also won all major demos in late news. WJXT is No. 1 at 10 p.m. with 17,000 A25-54 viewers and again at 10:30 p.m. with 14,000.

News4JAX was No. 1 at 11 p.m. with 12,000 A25-54 viewers, beating both First Coast News and the WJAX and WFOX Action News newscasts, even when added together.

Late news has seen year-over-year growth particularly at 10 p.m., where there is a 26% increase over last May.

WJXT also recently received recognition for its work from two major award organizations.

WJXT earned a prestigious Edward R. Murrow Overall Excellence award from the Radio and Television News Directors Association. The RTNDA also awarded the station Murrow Awards for Breaking News Coverage for its work during the Miami Airplane crash at NAS JAX and News4JAX.com was named best website.

News4JAX also earned 11 awards from The Florida Association of Broadcasters, including Best Newscast, Best Website, Best Investigative Story and the organization's top award as Station of the Year.

WJXT-TV4 wins the 2018-19 TV season

The 2018-19 traditional Nielsen television season has come to a close and WJXT Channel 4 | THE Local Station is No. 1 in all local news areas and beat several major broadcast networks in entertainment programming in prime time, once again.

The station's newscasts delivered No. 1 result in all dayparts, continuing a run of dominance in the Jacksonville market.

“It’s incredibly humbling to see month after month, year after year how the community continues to make us their first choice for local news,” said Bob Ellis, WJXT vice president and general manager. “We take being Jacksonville's number one source for news very seriously. We know viewers look to us first for important local stories that make a difference in Jacksonville. That's our focus. That’s what being The Local Station is all about.”

Morning News continues to lead the charge, winning every major demo 4:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and in most time periods, beating all news competitors in the market combined.

News4JAX at 4:30 a.m. is No. 1 by 88% for Adult 25-54 ratings. News4JAX at 5 a.m. is No. 1 in the time period with a 2.4 Adult 25-54 rating, tying the combined competition of WTLV, WJXX, WJAX and WFOX.

At 5:30 a.m., News4JAX won by 93% with a 2.9, once again tying all other news competitors combined. News4JAX at 6 a.m. is No. 1 in Adults 25-54 ratings in the 6-7 a.m. time period, garnering a 3.2 Adult 25-54.

"The Morning Show" (7‑9 a.m.), anchored by Jennifer Waugh, Bruce Hamilton and Richard Nunn, is No. 1 in the time period with a 2.5 Adult 25-54 rating, beating out all other newscasts including the national broadcasts of NBC’s "Today" on WTLV, CBS "This Morning" on WJAX and ABC’s "Good Morning America" on WJXX. May 2019 marks "The Morning Show’s" 95th consecutive month winning the time period in HH ratings. At 9 a.m., "The Morning Show 2" beat "Today" with and without Megyn Kelly.

In evening news, News4JAX at 5 p.m. is most watched in the time period with a 1.9 A25‑54 rating. News4JAX at 5:30 p.m. is No. 1 in the time period with a 2.0 Adults 25-54 rating. News4JAX at 6 p.m. anchored by Tom Wills, Mary Baer and John Gaughan is No. 1 with a 2.2 Adult 25-54 rating, beating the closest competition by 22%.

The story continues in late news where WJXT is No. 1 with "The Ten O’Clock News" with a 2.3 rating and again at 10:30 p.m. with a 1.9 rating for Adults 25-54. News4JAX is No. 1 at 11 p.m. for Adults 25-54 with a 1.8.

WJXT continues to be a prominent choice for prime viewing in Jacksonville. The lineup of "Last Man Standing" and "The Big Bang Theory" beat ABC prime in every major demo for the 2018-19 season overall.

Source: Nielsen September 24, 2018-May 24, 2019 average. PAVs for News programming. Prime is based on time period averages WJXT and WFOX M-F 8p-10p, WTLV, WJXX, WJAX, WCWJ 8p-11p.

News4JAX partners with Visit Jacksonville for JaxBest Guide

News4JAX.com has partnered with Visit Jacksonville to create an annual voter-centric guide highlighting the best local attractions and businesses that shape the city.

This resource will live year-round on the News4JAX.com website with new voting categories populated monthly. Winners of each category will be announced at the end of each voting phase, and will reign as the category winner over the next 12 months.

“Visit Jacksonville makes the perfect partner for the JAX BEST promotion because it is our mission to promote the best that Jacksonville has to offer to the world every day, so who better to help us find those top options than our local residents?” said Michael Corrigan, CEO and president of Visit Jacksonville. “We invite Jacksonville to watch WJXT and WCWJ for updates on the JAX BEST campaign, vote and help us choose the best attractions, parks, breweries, museums and experiences available in Jacksonville. We want the people that live here to help us spread the word on their favorite places in Jax!”

The first round of voting began June 17, and will cover the following 10 categories: Best Breweries, Trails, Dog Parks, Public Art, Coffee, Fishing Charters, Surf Spots, Animal Encounters, Golf Courses and Water Sports Rentals.

Winners from the first round will be announced the week of July 8, followed by a new set of categories the week of July 15.

“We’re extremely excited to be working with Visit Jacksonville to create the ultimate guide of all the best things our great city has to offer,” WJXT and WCWJ Vice President and General Manager Bob Ellis said. “The best local spots chosen entirely by local people is what makes this the definitive ‘Best of’ list. We can’t wait to unveil it.”

The inspiration behind JaxBest stemmed from the mutual desire to further educate residents and visitors alike on local businesses, events and attractions as our city continues to flourish. JaxBest will permanently live on News4JAX.com as an informational guide for users seeking new experiences around our city. To vote, please visit News4JAX.com/jaxbest.

WJXT-TV4 wins every major local news area in November

Once again, THE Local Station is Jacksonville’s No. 1 source for local news, and WJXT has swept all major news areas with the adult 25-54 viewers -- the most coveted demographic for television advertisers.

Morning news leads the way with News4JAX at 4:30 a.m., beating the combined competition’s A25-54 ratings. News4JAX at 5 a.m. is No. 1 in the time period with a 2.5 A25-54 rating, again beating the combined competition of WTLV, WJXX, WJAX and WFOX.

At 5:30 a.m., News4JAX won with a 3.1, more than doubling the nearest competitors' A25-54 rating. News4JAX at 6 a.m. is No. 1 with adults in the 6-7 a.m. time period, garnering a 3.1 A25-54 rating and an impressive 19 share. The Morning Show (7-9 a.m.), anchored by Jennifer Waugh, Bruce Hamilton and Richard Nunn, is No. 1 in the time period with a 2.6 A25-54 rating and a 16 share, beating out all other newscasts, including the national broadcasts of NBC’s "Today" on WTLV, CBS "This Morning" on WJAX and ABC’s "Good Morning America" on WJXX. At 9 a.m., "The Morning Show" beats "Today" with and without Megyn Kelly, with a 1.4 A25-54.

News4JAX at 4 p.m. and "Inside Edition" take the time period with a 1.4 A25-54, beating "Dr. Phil," "Judge Judy" and "Ellen."

In evening news, News4JAX at 5 p.m. is most watched in the time period, with a 2.1 A25-54 rating. News4JAX at 5:30 p.m. is No. 1 in the time period with a 2.1 A25-54 rating. News4JAX at 6 p.m., anchored by Mary Baer, Tom Wills and John Gaughan, is No. 1 with a 2.1 A25-54 rating and an 8 share.

The story continues in late news, with wins in The Ten O’Clock News at 10 and 10:30. WJXT is No. 1 at 10 p.m. with a 2.4 A25-54 rating and again at 10:30 p.m. with a 2.1 rating. News4JAX was No. 1 at 11 p.m. with a 1.8 A25-54, beating both the WJAX and WFOX Action News newscasts, even when added together.

“It is incredibly gratifying to our entire staff to see month after month, year after year, the viewers of Jacksonville choose News4JAX as their number one choice for local news,” Vice President and General Manager Bob Ellis said. “We are so proud to be Jacksonville’s only truly local television station, serving this community and seeing how they respond to our commitment makes us work even harder to make Jacksonville a better place to live.”