Founded in 1965 by Aaron Katz and Leonard Stevens, PHL17 (originally known as WPHL-TV) came into being to provide an alternative to the three major networks in Philadelphia. The idea sparked when Katz and Stevens saw an opportunity to create an independent station that could show movies, cartoons, and sports that the big channels were ignoring. They decided to launch the station to bring more entertainment options to local families, eventually becoming a major home for local sports teams. Today, the station is owned by Nexstar Media Group, the largest owner of local television stations in the United States. Today, PHL17 is run by local producers and personalities and is mainly focused on morning news, entertainment, and local culture. They are based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and are well-known for their popular morning show, "PHL17 Morning News," which covers traffic, weather, and lifestyle stories across the Delaware Valley. One interesting fact: A unique fact about PHL17 is its exclusive relationship with the Mummers Parade. Since 1993, the station has been the official broadcaster of this massive, colorful New Year's Day folk festival. It is a huge tradition in Philadelphia, and PHL17 airs the celebration live all day long, making it the go-to channel for the city's biggest holiday event.