KPLC

KPLC is a full-power television station based in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and identified on air as channel 7. The station primarily serves southwestern Louisiana, including the Lake Charles area and nearby communities, and is affiliated with NBC on its main channel and The CW Plus through a digital subchannel. KPLC is owned by Gray Media. It shares studio facilities in downtown Lake Charles with KVHP, a Fox/ABC/Univision affiliate operated under a shared-services arrangement involving American Spirit Media, while KPLC maintains its transmitter near Fenton, Louisiana. The station began broadcasting on September 29, 1954, when it carried NBC coverage of the 1954 World Series. Its call letters were inherited from KPLC radio stations established by founder T. B. Lanford, a Shreveport broadcaster who also helped launch KALB-TV in Alexandria on the same day. KPLC benefited from the Federal Communications Commission's historical allocation of VHF channels. Because southwestern Louisiana was positioned between several larger television markets, the region had room for only one commercial VHF license. KPLC secured that opportunity and became the dominant early television outlet in Lake Charles. The market's first UHF station, KTAG-TV, later left the air, further strengthening KPLC's position until additional competitors appeared decades later. Ownership changed several times. A St. Louis investment group led by Elliot Stien acquired the station from Lanford in 1964. G. Russell Chambers purchased it in 1970 and expanded its coverage with a substantially taller transmission tower. Chambers later entered into a disputed 1983 agreement to sell the station to NASCO, Inc. After litigation, a federal court ordered the transaction to proceed, and the sale was completed in 1986. Cosmos Broadcasting, a subsidiary of Liberty Life Insurance Company, acquired KPLC shortly afterward. The station later became part of Raycom Media in 2006 and then Gray Television, now Gray Media, after Gray completed its acquisition of Raycom in 2019. KPLC has periodically expanded its delivery platforms and local programming. It was an early adopter of station websites during the 1990s. Digital broadcasting began in 2004, accompanied by services including KPLC WeatherPlus and a mobile information product known as 7 On Your Cell. Its digital subchannel later became a CW affiliate, while the station also developed additional multicast and translator facilities. KPLC completed the transition from analog to digital broadcasting in 2009 and introduced high-definition local production in 2012. Local news and severe-weather coverage are central to the station's identity. KPLC has provided extensive coverage of hurricanes and other Gulf Coast weather events, including Hurricane Rita in 2005 and Hurricane Laura in 2020. Laura severely damaged the station's shared Lake Charles facility and transmission infrastructure, forcing KPLC and KVHP to relocate operations temporarily to Gray's WAFB in Baton Rouge. KPLC resumed local operations after the storm, using modified newsroom facilities while repairs continued. The station currently produces approximately 27 hours of locally originated newscasts each week. In sports programming, KPLC began carrying selected New Orleans Pelicans games during the 2023–24 season. A broader 2024 agreement created the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network, expanding the availability of Pelicans games through Gray-owned stations in the Gulf South, including KPLC. The station therefore combines network television, local journalism, weather information, digital multicast services, and selected regional sports programming.

KPLC signed on in Lake Charles on September 29, 1954, carrying NBC coverage of the World Series. It was created by T. B. Lanford, who had already operated radio stations using the KPLC callsign and was expanding into television. Lanford also helped launch KALB-TV in Alexandria on the same date. The station's early importance was closely connected to the FCC's VHF allocation plan. Lake Charles sat between several established television markets, leaving southwestern Louisiana with an unusual opening for a single commercial VHF license. KPLC secured that license and became the area's principal television station. The local UHF competitor KTAG-TV eventually closed in 1961, allowing KPLC to consolidate its early market position. Lanford sold KPLC in 1964 to a St. Louis group led by investor Elliot Stien. In 1970, G. Russell Chambers acquired the station and invested in a 1,500-foot transmission tower, extending reception across a wider portion of southwestern Louisiana. Chambers operated the station through Calcasieu Television & Radio, Inc. A later attempt to sell KPLC produced a legal dispute. Chambers and his company agreed in 1983 to sell the station's facilities and license to NASCO, Inc., but Chambers subsequently attempted to withdraw. A federal district court ruled in 1986 that the sale should proceed, and NASCO completed the acquisition on August 26 of that year. Cosmos Broadcasting, a subsidiary of Liberty Life Insurance Company, purchased KPLC and another station from NASCO less than two months later. KPLC became associated with a broader group of Louisiana broadcast properties, including New Orleans NBC affiliate WDSU, until WDSU was sold in 1989. During the late 1980s and 1990s, KPLC adopted a circle-7 visual identity and the slogan “7 at your service.” It was also an early television-station adopter of an online presence, launching a website during the 1990s. The station entered the digital era in 2004 with KPLC-DT and added KPLC WeatherPlus, a local 24-hour weather service, as well as a mobile service for early handheld devices. KPLC shut down its analog VHF signal on June 12, 2009, as part of the nationwide transition to digital television, and returned its digital signal to channel 7 after the transition. Local production moved to high definition in 2012. Raycom Media acquired Liberty and KPLC in January 2006. During this period KPLC continued to serve as a major NBC source for the Lafayette area, which lacked its own NBC station. That role ended in 2015 when KLAF-LD began local NBC operations in Lafayette. KPLC later expanded its digital portfolio when KPLC-DT2 became a CW affiliate in August 2017. Additional translators were introduced in 2021 to improve coverage along Interstate 10, around southwestern Calcasieu Parish, and toward Lafayette. Gray Television announced its proposed $3.65 billion acquisition of Raycom Media in 2018, and the transaction closed on January 2, 2019, making KPLC part of Gray's national local-television group. KPLC's operational history has also been shaped by severe weather. It maintained continuous coverage during Hurricane Rita in 2005 from a temporary safer location. Hurricane Laura in 2020 caused severe damage to the shared Lake Charles facility, including the collapse of a studio-to-transmitter-link tower and roof damage. KPLC and KVHP temporarily relocated to WAFB's Baton Rouge studios before returning to Lake Charles operations. In sports, KPLC began carrying selected New Orleans Pelicans games in the 2023–24 season. Gray and the Pelicans announced a larger Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network arrangement in 2024, extending Pelicans distribution through Gray stations across the Gulf South. Today KPLC remains an active NBC/CW television operation built around local news, weather, emergency information, network programming, digital services, and regional sports.

1. 2024Pelicans regional sports network expands

   KPLC is included in Gray's broader Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network agreement with the New Orleans Pelicans.

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2. 2021Translator network expands

   New UHF translators improve coverage in the Lake Charles–Lafayette corridor.

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3. 2020Hurricane Laura damages facilities

   KPLC temporarily relocates to Baton Rouge after Hurricane Laura damages its Lake Charles studio and transmission infrastructure.

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4. 2019Gray becomes owner

   Gray completes its acquisition of Raycom Media and adds KPLC to its portfolio.

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5. 2017CW affiliation begins

   KPLC-DT2 becomes the Lake Charles area's CW affiliate.

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6. 2009Analog television service ends

   KPLC completes the federally mandated analog-to-digital transition.

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7. 2006Raycom acquires KPLC

   KPLC becomes part of Raycom Media's television station group.

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8. 2004Digital services launch

   KPLC begins digital broadcasting and introduces WeatherPlus and a mobile information service.

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9. 1986NASCO acquisition is completed

   Following litigation over a disputed sale agreement, NASCO completes its purchase of KPLC.

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10. 1970Coverage expansion under G. Russell Chambers

    A new 1,500-foot tower substantially improves the station's regional signal.

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11. 1961Early UHF competitor leaves the market

    KTAG-TV ceases operations, reinforcing KPLC's early dominance in Lake Charles television.

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12. 1954KPLC signs on

    KPLC begins broadcasting on September 29 with NBC programming and becomes the principal VHF television station serving Lake Charles.

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A locally focused, full-service broadcast station positioned as a primary source of news, weather, network entertainment, and regional sports for Lake Charles and southwestern Louisiana.

• KPLC NBC Channel 7Broadcast television1954

  The station's primary broadcast service, carrying NBC network programming alongside locally produced news, weather, public-service information, syndicated programs, and commercial advertising for Lake Charles and southwestern Louisiana.

• CW Lake CharlesDigital multicast television2017

  KPLC's second digital channel, which became the local CW affiliate in 2017 and provides CW Plus programming and related syndicated content to viewers in the Lake Charles market.

• KPLC local newsBroadcast journalism1954

  A local news operation focused on Lake Charles and surrounding parishes, with regular newscasts, breaking-news coverage, investigative reporting, community stories, and emergency information. The station produces approximately 27 hours of local newscasts weekly.

• KPLC WeatherWeather information2004

  Weather forecasting and severe-weather coverage tailored to a hurricane-exposed Gulf Coast market. The service has included dedicated weather programming and extensive live coverage of tropical systems and other dangerous conditions.

• Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment NetworkRegional sports television2024

  A Gray-operated regional sports distribution initiative that carries New Orleans Pelicans games through participating Gray stations in the Gulf South, including KPLC.

• 2024Expansion of Pelicans sports distributionStrategy

  After a limited arrangement to air ten New Orleans Pelicans games during the 2023–24 season, Gray and the team sought broader regional television distribution.

  What changed. The parties announced the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network, with KPLC among the Gray stations expected to carry nearly all Pelicans games during the 2024–25 season.

  Aftermath. KPLC expanded its programming role beyond local news and network affiliation into regional professional sports.

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• 2018Gray announces Raycom acquisitionM&A

  Gray Television sought to combine its station portfolio with Raycom Media, KPLC's owner at the time.

  What changed. Gray announced an agreement to acquire Raycom for $3.65 billion. The FCC approved the transaction in December 2018, and closing occurred in January 2019.

  Aftermath. KPLC became a Gray-owned station and remained part of Gray's Louisiana broadcast operations.

  Announced transaction value. $3.65 billion (2018 announcement)

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• 2017KPLC-DT2 becomes a CW affiliateStrategy

  The Lake Charles market required a new home for CW programming after the previous CW Plus service associated with KVHP changed its programming strategy.

  What changed. KPLC moved the CW affiliation to its second digital subchannel and upgraded the over-the-air presentation to widescreen HD.

  Aftermath. KPLC added a second network-branded service while KVHP-DT2 adopted ABC programming.

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• 2004Launch of digital and dedicated weather servicesProduct launch

  KPLC responded to the transition toward digital television and the strong demand for local weather information in southwestern Louisiana.

  What changed. The station launched digital broadcasting, KPLC WeatherPlus, and a mobile service for cellphones and handheld devices.

  Aftermath. KPLC broadened its distribution beyond its primary analog channel and established additional local information platforms.

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• 1983KPLC sale agreement with NASCOM&A

  G. Russell Chambers and Calcasieu Television & Radio agreed to sell KPLC's facilities and broadcast license to NASCO for $18 million, subject to FCC approval.

  What changed. Chambers later attempted to withdraw from the transaction, leading to litigation. A federal court ordered the sale to proceed, and NASCO completed the acquisition in 1986.

  Aftermath. The transaction was followed shortly afterward by Cosmos Broadcasting's purchase of KPLC from NASCO.

  Proposed purchase price. $18 million (1983 agreement)

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• 2024Gray and Pelicans establish Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network

  Gray and the Pelicans announced a broader regional arrangement intended to distribute nearly all 2024–25 Pelicans games through Gray stations in the Gulf South, including KPLC.

  CampaignProduct launch
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• 2023KPLC to air New Orleans Pelicans games

  Gray announced an agreement with the New Orleans Pelicans under which KPLC would broadcast ten games during the 2023–24 season.

  CampaignOther
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• 2021KPLC expands signal through new UHF translators

  Two UHF translators were launched to improve reception along Interstate 10, in southwestern Lake Charles-area communities, and toward Lafayette.

  Product launch
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• 2020KPLC and KVHP provide continuous Hurricane Laura coverage

  KPLC and KVHP delivered continuous coverage before Hurricane Laura, evacuated to WAFB in Baton Rouge ahead of landfall, and temporarily lost their Lake Charles facility after storm damage collapsed part of the studio-to-transmitter infrastructure.

  Other
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• 2019Gray Television completes Raycom Media acquisition

  Gray completed its acquisition of Raycom Media, bringing KPLC into the Gray station portfolio.

  M&A
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• 2017KPLC digital subchannel becomes a CW affiliate

  KPLC-DT2 became the Lake Charles area's CW affiliate, later upgrading its over-the-air presentation to a 720p widescreen HD format.

  Product launchProduct generation
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• 2015KPLC loses its secondary Lafayette-market NBC role

  After KLAF-LD began operating as Lafayette's first local NBC affiliate since the 1970s, cable systems in the Lafayette area removed KPLC and another distant NBC station from their lineups.

  Other
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• 2012KPLC launches high-definition studio operations

  The station began producing and broadcasting local programming in high definition after introducing a new HD-capable studio.

  Product generationProduct launch
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• 2004KPLC begins digital broadcasting and launches weather and mobile services

  KPLC introduced digital television service and added a local 24-hour weather channel, KPLC WeatherPlus, along with a mobile information service for cellphones and PDAs.

  Product launchOther
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• 2004Transmission tower collapse disrupts over-the-air KPLC service

  A transmission tower fell while workers were installing a replacement in high winds. Cable distribution continued through fiber delivery, while over-the-air service was interrupted for roughly two weeks and temporarily restored at reduced power.

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1. KPLC