KPHO-TV

KPHO-TV is a CBS-affiliated television station serving Phoenix, Arizona, and the surrounding market on digital channel 5. It is part of Gray Media's Arizona's Family group, which also includes independent station KTVK and low-power station KPHE-LD. The stations share facilities in Phoenix and jointly present local news, weather, sports, investigative reporting, community programming, and digital content under the Arizona's Family identity. KPHO-TV's transmitter is located on South Mountain. The station began broadcasting on December 4, 1949, as Arizona's first television station. Its original applicants operated through Phoenix Television Company, a consortium that included Phoenix business and petroleum interests. The station initially carried programming associated with all four major national networks then available, although the arrival of additional Phoenix-area stations after the Federal Communications Commission's nationwide freeze on new television construction permits ended gradually redistributed those affiliations. Meredith Corporation acquired the KPHO stations in 1952, establishing an ownership relationship that lasted for almost seven decades. KPHO-TV became an independent station in 1955 after CBS moved its Phoenix affiliation to channel 10. During the following four decades, it built a substantial local identity through movies, syndicated series, news, sports, variety programming, and original productions. The best-known of these was The Wallace and Ladmo Show, a locally produced children's and comedy program that became a major part of Phoenix popular culture and ran for decades. KPHO also achieved unusually broad cable distribution across Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of California, at times functioning as a regional superstation. In the 1970s it was regarded as one of the strongest independent stations in the United States. The competitive environment changed in the 1980s and early 1990s as KNXV-TV and KUTP expanded their entertainment offerings, Fox emerged as a national network, and cable television and videocassette recorders weakened the traditional independent-station model. KPHO did not obtain Fox, and The Wallace and Ladmo Show ended in 1989 when Wallace retired. The station nevertheless retained a valuable news operation and an established relationship with Meredith, which helped shape its next major transition. KPHO returned to CBS on September 10, 1994, following the large-scale affiliation changes triggered by Fox's agreement with New World Communications and the resulting movement of network affiliations in Phoenix. CBS selected KPHO in part because Meredith owned other stations with important CBS relationships. The affiliation required a major expansion of local news output and repositioned channel 5 as a network-owned-style local news competitor rather than a primarily entertainment-focused independent. Meredith acquired KTVK and related operating assets in 2014. KPHO and KTVK subsequently combined much of their operations and news production under the Arizona's Family brand, while retaining separate station identities and programming schedules. Gray Media acquired Meredith's local television division in a transaction completed in December 2021. Under Gray, Arizona's Family has continued to operate as a multi-station local media group. In 2024, Gray became the television partner of the Arizona Cardinals; KPHO and related Gray outlets carried preseason and team-oriented programming, while Arizona's Family broadened its sports coverage to include local football content.

KPHO-TV traces its origins to a March 1948 application by Phoenix Television Company for a construction permit on channel 5. The Federal Communications Commission granted the permit in June of that year, making it the first television authorization in Arizona. The station initially used the call sign KTLX, but changed to KPHO-TV in October 1949 to align with the established KPHO radio station. It signed on December 4, 1949, before network coaxial facilities reached Phoenix, so early programming relied on film and locally originated live material. For roughly three and a half years, KPHO-TV was the only television station in Phoenix and the only television station in Arizona. Meredith Corporation purchased the KPHO stations in 1952. The end of the FCC construction freeze brought new competitors and redistributed network programming. KPHO carried programming from CBS, NBC, ABC, and DuMont during its early period, but NBC moved to a new Phoenix-area outlet in 1953. CBS ultimately shifted to KOOL-TV in 1955, leaving channel 5 as an independent station. The independent era became the defining period of KPHO's early identity. Its schedule combined films, syndicated programs, local news, sports, and studio productions. The Wallace and Ladmo Show developed from a western-movie presentation and evolved into a highly influential children's and comedy program. The show ran until December 1989 and became one of the station's signature cultural contributions. KPHO also improved its regional reach when it moved its transmission facilities to South Mountain in 1960, adopting a higher-power signal. During the 1970s, cable systems distributed the station widely through Arizona, New Mexico, and portions of California. Competition intensified after KNXV-TV expanded as an independent and KUTP launched in 1985. Fox selected KNXV rather than KPHO in 1986, and the growth of cable and home video further pressured the station. By the early 1990s, KPHO's ratings had weakened, although its news department and local recognition remained important assets. A national affiliation realignment in 1994 created an opportunity for KPHO to return to CBS. Fox's agreement with New World Communications displaced existing affiliations, while ABC moved its Phoenix relationship to KNXV. CBS chose KPHO over higher-rated KTVK, citing strategic relationships with Meredith in other markets. The CBS affiliation began on September 10, 1994, accompanied by a major promotional effort and an expansion of local news programming. Meredith later acquired KTVK as part of the restructuring surrounding Gannett's acquisition of Belo. Beginning in 2014, KPHO and KTVK consolidated significant operational functions and marketed their combined news output as Arizona's Family. The integration took place at KTVK's larger Phoenix facilities, while KPHO remained the CBS station. Gray Television announced a $2.7 billion acquisition of Meredith's local media division in 2021, and the transaction closed on December 1 of that year. KPHO now operates within Gray's Arizona's Family portfolio, serving Phoenix through broadcast, cable, web, mobile, streaming, and social channels.

1. 2024Arizona Cardinals partnership

   Gray became the Cardinals' official television partner, expanding Arizona's Family sports programming.

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2. 2021Gray Media ownership begins

   Gray completed its acquisition of Meredith's local television division.

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3. 2014Arizona's Family operations formed

   Meredith combined major operations of KPHO-TV and KTVK under the Arizona's Family brand.

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4. 1994CBS affiliation restored

   KPHO-TV returned to CBS on September 10 following the Phoenix affiliation realignment.

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5. 1989The Wallace and Ladmo Show ends

   The station's landmark local children's program aired its final episode after Wallace retired.

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6. 1960Transmitter moves to South Mountain

   A higher-power transmission facility expanded KPHO-TV's coverage and cable reach.

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7. 1955Independent-station era begins

   CBS moved to KOOL-TV, leaving KPHO-TV independent for almost forty years.

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8. 1952Meredith acquisition

   Meredith Corporation acquired the KPHO radio and television properties.

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9. 1949KPHO-TV begins broadcasting

   Arizona's first television station signed on December 4, initially relying on film and local live programming.

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10. 1948Construction permit granted

    The FCC granted Phoenix Television Company authorization to build an Arizona television station on channel 5.

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A long-established Phoenix television station combining CBS network programming with locally focused news, weather, sports, and community coverage under the Arizona's Family group identity.

• Local news operationTelevision news1949

  KPHO-TV produces local newscasts and contributes to Arizona's Family coverage across broadcast and digital platforms. The operation includes reporting, investigative journalism, weather, traffic, public-affairs coverage, and breaking-news programming for the Phoenix market.

• CBS programmingNetwork television1994

  As Phoenix's CBS affiliate, KPHO-TV carries the network's scheduled entertainment, news, sports, and special-event programming, subject to local scheduling and station commitments.

• Arizona's Family digital and streaming contentDigital media2014

  The station participates in the Arizona's Family web, mobile, social, and streaming ecosystem, extending local reporting and weather coverage beyond the linear broadcast schedule.

• The Wallace and Ladmo ShowChildren's and local entertainment programming1954

  This locally produced children's and comedy program grew from a western-movie hosting segment into one of Phoenix television's most recognizable productions. It remained a central KPHO property for decades before ending in 1989.

• 2024Arizona Cardinals television partnership

  Arizona

  Gray and Arizona's Family promoted their role as the official television partner of the Arizona Cardinals through preseason games and additional team-related programming.

  Outcome. KPHO-TV and other Arizona's Family outlets gained a larger role in Cardinals and regional football coverage.

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• 1994CBS affiliation promotion

  Phoenix metropolitan area

  Meredith and CBS promoted KPHO-TV's return to the network with an extensive local campaign intended to introduce the station's expanded CBS and news identity.

  Outcome. KPHO became the CBS affiliate and substantially expanded its local-news schedule.

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• 2021Acquisition by Gray MediaM&A

  Gray Television sought to acquire Meredith's local media division, including KPHO-TV and KTVK.

  What changed. Gray completed the acquisition on December 1, 2021.

  Aftermath. KPHO-TV became part of Gray's national station portfolio while continuing its Arizona's Family local-market identity.

  announced transaction value. 2.7 billion USD (announced May 3, 2021; completed December 1, 2021)

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• 2014Integration with KTVKM&A

  Meredith acquired KTVK and related operating assets after the restructuring of Gannett's Belo transaction.

  What changed. Meredith combined substantial operational and news functions of KPHO-TV and KTVK under the Arizona's Family identity.

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• 1994Return to CBSStrategy

  The Phoenix market underwent a major affiliation realignment after Fox's agreement with New World Communications displaced existing network relationships. CBS needed a new local affiliate and evaluated KPHO-TV and KTVK.

  What changed. CBS selected KPHO-TV, and the station resumed CBS programming on September 10, 1994, while expanding its local-news operation.

  Aftermath. The decision ended KPHO's nearly forty-year independent period and repositioned it as a major network-affiliated news station.

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• 2024Gray becomes Arizona Cardinals television partner

  Gray became the official television partner of the Arizona Cardinals, with KPHO-TV and other Arizona's Family outlets carrying preseason and related programming.

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• 2021Gray Media completes acquisition of Meredith television division

  Gray Television completed its acquisition of Meredith's local media division, bringing KPHO-TV and KTVK into Gray's station group.

  M&A
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• 2014Meredith acquires KTVK and combines Phoenix station operations

  Meredith added KTVK to its Phoenix portfolio and integrated operations with KPHO under the Arizona's Family banner.

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• 1994KPHO-TV returns to CBS affiliation

  KPHO-TV resumed its CBS affiliation after nearly four decades as an independent station, amid a nationwide realignment of network affiliations.

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1. KPHO-TV
2. Arizona's Family