 Channel 50, Inc. was then involved in a protracted legal battle over a sale to Washington resident and former WBNB-TV owner Ted Ledbetter – held up by the Federal Communications Commission due to questions about his financial backing – and subsequent permission to become Washington's one allowable subscription television station, which was also sought by WDCA (channel 20).After both hearings went in Ledbetter's favor in July 1980, channel 50 signed on under the callsign WCQR on April 1, 1981.Beginning on November 1, WCQR aired the subscription television service SuperTV at night and live pictures of Washington, D.C. from above its broadcast tower during the daytime.