KTXS-TV

KTXS-TV is a full-power television station licensed to Sweetwater, Texas, and serving the Abilene, Texas, television market. The station broadcasts on virtual channel 12 as an affiliate of ABC and also carries The CW Plus through a digital multicast service. It is owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group and operates alongside low-power sister stations KTES-LD and KTXE-LD. KTES-LD carries the Roar digital network, while KTXE-LD rebroadcasts KTXS-TV programming in the San Angelo area. The station began broadcasting on January 30, 1956, under the call sign KPAR-TV. It was established by Texas Telecasting, the owner of KDUB-TV in Lubbock, and initially served largely as a satellite of that station, carrying much of its programming. KPAR-TV briefly affiliated with the NTA Film Network and opened a second studio in Abilene in 1958. A major operating change came in 1960, when Texas Key Broadcasting assumed control. The station subsequently separated from its Lubbock predecessor, added ABC programming, and moved its transmitter to a high-elevation site near Trent. The move expanded coverage across the Abilene region and helped establish channel 12 as a regional broadcaster rather than merely a relay operation. Grayson Enterprises purchased the station in 1966 and changed its call sign to KTXS-TV, a name commonly understood as an abbreviation of “K-Texas TV.” Grayson constructed facilities in Abilene and expanded the station’s reach through translators, including a San Angelo-area facility that began operating in 1971. The company’s operation of its Texas stations attracted regulatory scrutiny. The Federal Communications Commission cited the move of the main studio from Sweetwater to Abilene and alleged that the station had improperly covered network material with local commercials. KTXS-TV was among several Grayson stations designated for a licensing hearing. A severe ice storm also damaged the station’s Trent transmission tower in January 1979, temporarily forcing it to broadcast with a shortened antenna before a replacement tower was completed. In 1980, KTXS-TV was sold through the FCC’s distress-sale process to Prima Inc., a minority-controlled broadcasting company. The station passed through several owners during the following six years, including Catclaw Communications and SouthWest MultiMedia. These owners attempted to improve a news operation that had historically ranked behind competing Abilene stations. Lamco Communications acquired KTXS-TV in 1986 and invested in its local news operation, which gradually became more competitive. By the mid-1990s, KTXS had overtaken KRBC-TV in several major news periods and briefly led the market in the February 1999 ratings cycle, although KTAB-TV later regained first place in key time slots. KTXS expanded beyond its primary ABC service during the 2000s. Lamco acquired a low-power Telemundo outlet in 2000 and operated it as KTES-LP, with local Spanish-language news inserts produced by the KTXS newsroom. The station added The CW to a digital subchannel in 2006. Lamco’s stations were sold to BlueStone Television in 2004 and then to Bonten Media Group in 2007. Bonten ended the Telemundo service in 2010, replacing it with This TV after weak ratings, while The CW service remained. Sinclair acquired Bonten’s station group in 2017 in a transaction valued at $240 million. KTXS-TV entered digital broadcasting in September 2002, becoming the first television station in the Big Country region to transmit a digital signal. It ended analog broadcasting on June 12, 2009, as part of the nationwide transition to digital television, retaining virtual channel 12 on a UHF digital allocation. In the 2020s, the station continued to produce local news, weather, sports, and community programming for the Abilene market. As of 2023, its schedule included approximately 19.5 hours of locally produced news each week and the weekly program KTXS Sports Sunday. In June 2025, severe straight-line winds damaged the Abilene…

KTXS-TV originated as KPAR-TV, a Sweetwater station developed by Texas Telecasting, the owner of KDUB-TV in Lubbock. Texas Telecasting filed its application for a channel 12 facility in 1953, received approval from the Federal Communications Commission later that year, and began construction in 1955. KPAR-TV launched on January 30, 1956, with a special dedication broadcast from its Sweetwater studio. Its early schedule largely repeated KDUB-TV programming, although the station also briefly carried programs from the NTA Film Network. A second studio opened in downtown Abilene in 1958 as the station sought to serve the larger regional market. Texas Key Broadcasting assumed operational control in 1960 under a long-term arrangement and subsequently acquired the physical assets of KPAR-TV. The new operators sought to improve the station’s coverage by moving its transmitter from the Sweetwater area to higher ground near Trent. The new tower became operational in February 1962. Around the same period, KPAR-TV added ABC programming and became more independent from its Lubbock predecessor. A dispute over the reliability of the microwave link used to deliver network programming led to litigation involving the Lubbock station and Grayson Enterprises, which later became KPAR-TV’s owner. Grayson agreed to purchase KPAR-TV in 1966. The transaction closed in June, and the call sign changed to KTXS-TV on July 1. Grayson promised to restore the Sweetwater studio and upgrade the station’s production capabilities. It also expanded KTXS’s reach by constructing or authorizing translator facilities, including a Brownwood-area translator and a San Angelo translator that began operation in 1971. The San Angelo facility brought ABC programming to viewers who previously lacked a local ABC outlet, although the move also affected plans for a separate San Angelo station. Grayson’s management of KTXS-TV became the subject of FCC scrutiny. The commission fined the station in 1971 for moving its main studio from Sweetwater to Abilene without adequate regulatory approval. Later, the FCC designated Grayson’s Texas stations for a hearing, citing questions about the company’s candor regarding the studio relocation and the practice of clipping network programming with local commercials. Rather than risk license revocation, Grayson used the FCC’s distress-sale policy to transfer the stations to a minority-controlled ownership group. The process was prolonged by objections from another proposed buyer and by financial pressure from Grayson’s creditors. The station also experienced a major technical failure during the ownership transition. On January 1, 1979, an ice storm caused the upper portion of the Trent tower to collapse onto the transmitter building. KTXS returned to the air less than two weeks later using an antenna attached to the remaining section of the tower, and a replacement structure was completed in January 1980. That period also saw a major change in the local competitive environment: KTAB-TV began operating as a CBS affiliate, leaving KTXS-TV as the market’s sole ABC affiliate. Prima Inc., a majority-Black partnership associated with Wayne Embry, John Robert Lee, and Larry Reed, completed its purchase of KTXS-TV and another Grayson station in 1980. Prima announced plans to expand the news staff and modernize equipment, but the company encountered financial and legal difficulties. KTXS then changed hands several times, moving to Catclaw Communications in 1983 and SouthWest MultiMedia in 1985. Lamco Communications acquired the station in 1986. Local news was a persistent strategic issue. For many years, KTXS ranked last among the Abilene market’s principal news stations. Ownership groups repeatedly changed anchors, news directors, staffing levels, and production methods. Catclaw’s recruitment of experienced radio journalist Len Johnson and anchor Pat Brown helped produce a short-term audience improvement in 1985. During the 1990s, the station’s newscasts became more competitive. By 1995, KTXS had moved ahead of KRBC-TV in the 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. periods, and in February 1999 it briefly swept the principal ratings periods before KTAB-TV recovered the market lead. KTXS nevertheless retained strengths among younger viewers and in selected morning and afternoon newscasts. Lamco also diversified the station’s services. In 2000, it acquired a low-power Telemundo outlet and renamed it KTES-LP, adding Spanish-language news briefs prepared by the KTXS newsroom. The station added The CW on a digital subchannel in 2006. After BlueStone Television acquired Lamco’s portfolio in 2004, Bonten Media Group purchased the stations in 2007. Bonten discontinued the Telemundo feed in 2010 and replaced it with This TV, citing weak ratings relative to The CW. Sinclair Broadcast Group acquired Bonten in 2017. KTXS-TV began digital broadcasting in September 2002 and ended its analog service on June 12, 2009. Its digital operation retained virtual channel 12. In the 2020s, the station continued as an ABC affiliate with a local-news operation producing approximately 19.5 hours of news per week as of 2023, along with the weekly sports program KTXS Sports Sunday. The station uses an anchorless news format. On June 8, 2025, severe straight-line winds damaged the Abilene studios and disabled infrastructure associated with transmission operations. Sinclair used alternate master-control and distribution arrangements, and the news staff temporarily worked from facilities at Abilene Christian University.

1. 2025Wind damage disrupts studio operations

   Severe straight-line winds damaged the station’s Abilene studios and forced temporary production and transmission arrangements.

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2. 2017Sinclair acquires Bonten stations

   Sinclair Broadcast Group acquired Bonten Media Group, including KTXS-TV.

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3. 2009Analog service ends

   KTXS-TV shut down its analog signal during the federally mandated transition to digital television.

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4. 2006The CW added

   The station added The CW on a digital subchannel.

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5. 2002Digital broadcasting begins

   KTXS-TV began digital transmission, becoming the first Big Country television station to broadcast digitally.

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6. 2000Spanish-language service added

   Lamco acquired a low-power Telemundo station, renamed it KTES-LP, and added local Spanish-language news briefs.

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7. 1986Lamco acquires KTXS-TV

   Lamco Communications purchased the station and later strengthened its local news operation.

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8. 1980Distress-sale ownership transfer

   KTXS-TV was transferred to Prima Inc. through the FCC’s minority-ownership distress-sale process.

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9. 1979Transmission tower damaged by ice storm

   An ice storm caused the upper portion of the Trent tower to collapse; temporary transmission arrangements were used until a replacement tower was completed.

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10. 1971San Angelo translator begins operation

    A KTXS translator began carrying ABC programming in the San Angelo area.

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11. 1966KPAR-TV becomes KTXS-TV

    Grayson Enterprises completed its acquisition and changed the call sign to KTXS-TV.

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12. 1962Transmitter moved near Trent

    A new high-elevation transmitter and tower near Trent entered service, expanding the station’s coverage of the Abilene market.

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13. 1956KPAR-TV begins broadcasting

    The station launched on January 30 as KPAR-TV, initially carrying much of the programming of KDUB-TV in Lubbock.

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14. 1953Application for channel 12

    Texas Telecasting filed to construct a television station on channel 12 in Sweetwater, Texas.

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A regional broadcast and local-news brand focused on Abilene, Sweetwater, San Angelo, and surrounding West Texas communities, combining national ABC programming with locally produced news, weather, sports, and public-service coverage.

• KTXS-TV local newsLocal television news

  KTXS-TV produces local newscasts covering Abilene, Sweetwater, and surrounding West Texas communities. Its editorial output includes breaking news, public-safety reporting, regional affairs, weather, and consumer-oriented local information. The newsroom historically competed against KRBC-TV and KTAB-TV and, after several ownership and staffing changes, became a stronger competitor in selected news periods. As of 2023, the station produced approximately 19.5 hours of local news each week and used an anchorless presentation format.

• ABC programmingNetwork television affiliation1962

  ABC programming is the station’s principal network service. KTXS added ABC programming after its operating relationship with the Lubbock station was loosened in the early 1960s. Following the launch of a CBS affiliate in Abilene in 1979, KTXS became the area’s sole ABC affiliate and has continued to use the network relationship as a central part of its broadcast identity.

• The CW PlusDigital multicast network2006

  KTXS-TV carries The CW Plus through a digital subchannel. The service complements the main ABC schedule with entertainment and scripted programming targeted at smaller television markets. It was added in 2006 and became a continuing component of the station’s over-the-air multicast offering.

• KTXS Sports SundayLocal sports program

  KTXS Sports Sunday is the station’s weekly sports program, focused on local and regional high-school, college, and community sports coverage. It extends the station’s local-news role into athletics and provides a recurring platform for teams and events in the Abilene-area market.

• KTXE-LDRebroadcast station

  KTXE-LD is a low-power sister station that rebroadcasts KTXS-TV programming in the San Angelo area. Its purpose is to extend the KTXS signal and local-news brand beyond the primary Abilene transmission footprint.

• 2017Acquisition by Sinclair Broadcast GroupM&A

  Bonten Media Group sold its station portfolio as part of a broader ownership transaction.

  What changed. Sinclair Broadcast Group acquired Bonten Media Group, including KTXS-TV.

  Aftermath. KTXS-TV became part of Sinclair’s national local-broadcasting group and continued operating as an ABC affiliate.

  Reported transaction value. $240 million (2017)

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• 2010Replace Telemundo with This TVStrategy

  Bonten Media Group determined that the Telemundo service was attracting weaker ratings than The CW.

  What changed. The Telemundo feed was discontinued and replaced with This TV.

  Aftermath. KTXS’s digital and low-power station portfolio shifted away from Spanish-language network programming toward a general-entertainment multicast service.

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• 2006Launch of The CW digital serviceProduct launch

  Digital television enabled local stations to add additional network services without replacing their primary affiliations.

  What changed. KTXS-TV added The CW on a digital subchannel.

  Aftermath. The CW became part of the station’s continuing multicast portfolio and later outperformed the Telemundo service in local ratings.

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• 2000Add Telemundo serviceStrategy

  Lamco sought to broaden its local television portfolio and reach Spanish-speaking viewers.

  What changed. Lamco acquired a low-power Telemundo station, renamed it KTES-LP, and used KTXS newsroom resources for Spanish-language news briefs.

  Aftermath. The Telemundo feed was discontinued in 2010 and replaced by This TV after comparatively weak ratings.

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• 1980Transfer to Prima Inc.M&A

  Grayson faced FCC licensing scrutiny and financial pressure, while the commission had introduced a policy allowing distressed stations to be sold to minority-controlled broadcasters.

  What changed. KTXS-TV was sold to Prima Inc., a minority-controlled ownership group, through the distress-sale process.

  Aftermath. Prima announced investment in the newsroom and equipment, but the station later changed owners several times before Lamco acquired it in 1986.

  Reported sale price. $15 million (1979 agreement; transaction completed in 1980)

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• 1966Rebrand as KTXS-TVStrategy

  Grayson Enterprises acquired KPAR-TV as part of its expansion in Texas broadcasting.

  What changed. The owner changed the call sign to KTXS-TV and committed to facility and equipment improvements.

  Aftermath. The KTXS-TV identity became the station’s enduring regional brand.

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• 1960Shift toward independent regional operationStrategy

  KPAR-TV initially repeated much of the schedule of its Lubbock-based predecessor, but Texas Key Broadcasting sought to make the station more relevant to the Abilene market.

  What changed. The station added ABC programming, separated its operations from the Lubbock service, and pursued a transmitter relocation to improve regional coverage.

  Aftermath. The changes established channel 12 as a more independent Abilene-area broadcaster.

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• 1977FCC licensing and programming compliance scrutinyControversy

  The FCC designated KTXS-TV and other Grayson Enterprises stations for a hearing concerning alleged lack of candor about the relocation of the station’s studio and the practice of clipping network programming with local commercials. The matter contributed to Grayson’s use of the FCC distress-sale process to transfer the station to minority-controlled ownership.

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• 2025Severe winds damage KTXS-TV’s Abilene studios

  Straight-line winds tore away part of the roof at the station’s North Clack Street studios and toppled a studio-transmitter-link tower onto the building. Master-control and transmission arrangements were shifted to other Sinclair-related facilities, while the newsroom used temporary space at Abilene Christian University.

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• 2017Sinclair completes acquisition of Bonten Media Group stations

  Sinclair Broadcast Group acquired Bonten Media Group, bringing KTXS-TV and related West Texas stations into the Sinclair station portfolio.

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1. KTXS-TV
2. KTXS-TV official website