9 percent of viewers, WOIO with 6 percent, and WCLQ-TV with 5 percent, a trend that continued into the fall and spring. The Plain Dealer reported on January 23, 1986, that Channel president Brian Byrnes initiated a study with Shearson Lehman Brothers on possible options for the company, involving the sale of WCLQ-TV and conceded NASCO's earnings in 1985 were "not as good" as 1984, but denied suggestions WCLQ-TV was losing over $2 million. General manager Jack White claimed Shearson Lehman contacted Channel on behalf of an investor, fueling the possibility of Rupert Murdoch buying WCLQ-TV for his nascent Fox Broadcasting Company. Fox, however, opted to partner with WOIO on June 4, 1986, after WUAB parent Gaylord Broadcasting declined to affiliate any of their stations with the network. The HSN years (1986–2002) After months of rumors, Clearwater, Florida–based Silver King Broadcasting, parent company of the Home Shopping Network (HSN), purchased WCLQ-TV for $15 million (equivalent to $ in ) on August 20, 1986. While technically at a profit, Channel Communications sold WCLQ-TV at a significant loss after making expensive programming purchases, with the earliest estimates of profitability for the station coming sometime in 1987. The following day, WCLQ-TV withdrew their petition contesting WOIO's sale to Malrite after failing to get support from the other television stations in the market and with the HSN sale rendering it moot. Lowell "Bud" Paxson, co-founder of HSN and co-owner of Silver King, previously announced plans to create a nationwide chain of stations supported by 14 owned-and-operated outlets (twelve owned outright and two with minority interest, as per FCC regulations) and a network of full-time and part-time affiliates. WCLQ-TV was the sixth station purchased by Silver King. WCLQ-TV expanded to 24-hour broadcasting on September 8, 1986, with HSN accounting for 18 hours daily. The remaining six hours of programming—meant to fulfill advertising contracts and provide temporary cash flow—included a block of children's programming, Honeymooners reruns, and a feature movie. The sale also voided a new contract the station had signed for the Cleveland State Vikings; while White said the games would continue to air during the transition period, the university moved their games to WOIO. Several cable systems, including Warner Cable in Akron and Canton, quietly dropped WCLQ-TV in favor of Cable Value Network. WOIO and WUAB also had the option to purchase any syndicated programming dropped by WCLQ-TV. During the license transfer process, program