KXAN-TV

KXAN-TV is a television station licensed to Austin, Texas, and affiliated with NBC. The station operates on virtual channel 36 and serves viewers across the Austin metropolitan area and parts of Central Texas and the Texas Hill Country. Its programming combines NBC network content with locally produced news, weather, traffic, investigative reporting, public-affairs coverage and digital journalism distributed through the KXAN website and related platforms. The station began broadcasting on February 12, 1965, as KHFI-TV on UHF channel 42. It was established by the Kingsbury family, which also owned KHFI radio properties. At launch, the station operated as an independent outlet because of existing network-contract arrangements, although it joined NBC in 1966. Austin's television market was difficult for early UHF broadcasters because reception required special equipment and the region's terrain made coverage challenging. In 1973, the station received approval to move to channel 36, adopted the KTVV call letters and substantially increased transmitter power, improving its reach throughout the market. LIN Broadcasting acquired the station in 1979. The KXAN-TV call sign was adopted on October 15, 1987, linking the station's identity to fellow NBC affiliate KXAS-TV in Fort Worth. To extend service into the Hill Country, LIN launched a Llano-area station in 1991; that operation later became KBVO, which operates alongside KXAN as part of Nexstar's Austin station group. KXAN retained NBC when Austin's major affiliation landscape changed in 1995. That year, KTBC moved from CBS to Fox and the former Fox outlet, then known as KBVO, became KEYE-TV and joined CBS. The change helped KXAN strengthen its competitive position. Its morning program, News 36 Firstcast, became the market's first hour-long local morning newscast and achieved a major ratings breakthrough in the early 1990s. By the late 1990s, KXAN had overtaken KTBC in several periods and developed a continuing ratings rivalry with ABC affiliate KVUE. The station expanded its local-news footprint through partnerships with sister or affiliated outlets. It began producing a 9 p.m. newscast for KNVA in 2009 and a weekday morning extension for that station in 2013. KXAN's local newscasts moved to high definition in 2008. The station now produces extensive weekday and weekend local-news programming, supported by a newsroom focused on Austin-area politics, public safety, transportation, weather, education, health and consumer issues. Ownership changed again when Media General acquired LIN Broadcasting in 2014. Nexstar Broadcasting Group completed its acquisition of Media General in January 2017, placing KXAN within the Nexstar Media Group portfolio. Nexstar announced a proposed acquisition of Tegna, owner of Austin ABC affiliate KVUE, in 2025; the reference material states that the transaction closed in 2026 but that court action prevented immediate integration of the Austin stations. KXAN therefore remains an active NBC station within Nexstar's Austin operations, alongside KBVO and services provided to KNVA under a local marketing arrangement.

KXAN-TV's history begins with Austin's expansion beyond its original VHF television service. The station signed on February 12, 1965, as KHFI-TV on UHF channel 42. The Kingsbury family owned the television operation alongside KHFI radio. Although the station was logically positioned to carry NBC, contractual obligations required it to operate independently for more than a year before joining NBC in 1966. Early UHF broadcasting faced technical and commercial obstacles. Viewers often needed converters, UHF signals generally covered less territory than VHF signals, and the Austin market extended across terrain that made reliable reception difficult. In 1973, the FCC authorized a move to channel 36. The station became KTVV, increased its effective power to five million watts and significantly enlarged its service area. LIN Broadcasting purchased the station in 1979. On October 15, 1987, KTVV adopted the KXAN-TV call sign, reflecting its relationship with KXAS-TV in Fort Worth. Coverage in the Hill Country was later strengthened through the launch of a Llano station in 1991. That operation changed call signs several times before becoming KBVO, now a related Nexstar station serving the Austin area. KXAN's competitive position improved during the 1990s. Its News 36 Firstcast morning program, launched in November 1990, became Austin's first hour-long local morning newscast and delivered the station its first sweeps victory in February 1993. The 1995 network-affiliation changes, driven by Fox's acquisition of NFL rights and its deal with New World Communications, moved KTBC to Fox and placed CBS on the former Fox outlet. KXAN retained NBC and gradually became a leading Austin news provider. The station's technical and programming operations continued to expand. Its current transmission tower was activated in 1996, replacing a structure dating from 1964. KXAN began high-definition local-news broadcasting in December 2008, launched a nightly 9 p.m. newscast on KNVA in September 2009 and added a two-hour weekday morning extension for KNVA in 2013. Corporate ownership shifted from LIN to Media General in December 2014 and then to Nexstar in January 2017. KXAN currently operates from studios on West Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in west-central Austin, near the University of Texas campus, with its transmitter at the West Austin Antenna Farm north of West Lake Hills. Its broadcast signal is digitally transmitted on UHF channel 21 while retaining virtual channel 36. The station remains an active NBC affiliate and a major local-news outlet in Central Texas.

1. 2017Nexstar ownership begins

   Nexstar completes its acquisition of Media General.

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2. 2014Media General ownership begins

   Media General completes its acquisition of LIN Broadcasting.

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3. 2009KNVA evening newscast begins

   KXAN starts producing a 9 p.m. newscast for KNVA.

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4. 2009Analog transmission ends

   KXAN shuts down its analog signal as part of the United States digital television transition.

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5. 2008Local news goes high definition

   KXAN begins HD local-news broadcasts.

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6. 1996Current transmission tower activated

   KXAN replaces its earlier tower with a taller structure at the West Austin Antenna Farm.

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7. 1993First sweeps victory

   The station records its first ratings victory during the February sweeps period.

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8. 1990News 36 Firstcast launches

   KXAN introduces Austin's first hour-long weekday morning newscast.

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9. 1987KXAN-TV name adopted

   The station adopts its current call letters.

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10. 1979LIN Broadcasting acquisition

    LIN Broadcasting purchases the station.

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11. 1973Move to channel 36

    The station changes to channel 36, becomes KTVV and increases transmission power.

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12. 1966NBC affiliation begins

    The station joins NBC after an initial period as an independent outlet.

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13. 1965Station launches as KHFI-TV

    KHFI-TV begins broadcasting on UHF channel 42 in Austin.

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A locally focused NBC affiliate emphasizing Austin and Central Texas news, weather, traffic, investigative reporting and community service.

• KXAN NewsLocal television news1965

  The station's core local-news service, covering Austin and surrounding Central Texas communities through scheduled broadcasts, breaking-news reports, weather, traffic, investigations and digital articles.

• KXAN News at 9Local television news2009

  A 9 p.m. local newscast produced for KNVA and designed to provide an alternative prime-time news service in the Austin market.

• KXAN News on The CW AustinMorning television news2013

  A weekday morning news extension produced for KNVA, adding local coverage during the 7-to-9 a.m. period.

• 2009Launch of a 9 p.m. newscast on KNVAProduct launch

  KXAN sought to broaden its local-news reach and compete with KTBC's established prime-time newscast.

  What changed. KXAN began producing a nightly 9 p.m. newscast for KNVA.

  Aftermath. The arrangement expanded KXAN's news presence beyond its own channel.

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• 2008Retransmission-consent negotiations with cable operatorsOther

  LIN Broadcasting disputed carriage terms with Suddenlink and Time Warner Cable.

  What changed. KXAN was temporarily removed from both cable systems before separate settlements restored carriage.

  Aftermath. The disputes highlighted the importance of retransmission-consent revenue and cable distribution to local stations.

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• 1973Move from channel 42 to channel 36Strategy

  The original UHF operation faced coverage limitations across Austin and the Hill Country.

  What changed. The station moved to channel 36, changed its call sign to KTVV and increased transmitter power.

  Aftermath. The technical changes expanded the station's effective coverage and established the channel identity later associated with KXAN.

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• 2017Nexstar completes Media General acquisition

  KXAN becomes part of Nexstar's station portfolio following the completed acquisition of Media General.

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• 2014Media General completes LIN acquisition

  KXAN joins Media General after the company completes its acquisition of LIN Broadcasting.

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• 2009KXAN expands news service on KNVA

  KXAN starts producing a nightly 9 p.m. newscast for KNVA.

  Product launch
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• 2008KXAN launches high-definition local news

  KXAN begins airing local newscasts in high definition.

  Product launch
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• 2008Suddenlink carriage dispute resolved

  A retransmission-consent dispute temporarily removes KXAN from Suddenlink systems before the station is restored in March.

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• 2008Time Warner Cable carriage dispute resolved

  LIN stations, including KXAN, are temporarily removed from Time Warner Cable systems during a retransmission-fee dispute and return later that month.

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• 1987KXAN-TV call letters adopted

  The station changes from KTVV to KXAN-TV, aligning its identity with NBC sister station KXAS-TV.

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• 1966KHFI-TV joins NBC

  After initially operating as an independent station, KHFI-TV becomes an NBC affiliate.

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• 1965KXAN-TV begins broadcasting

  The station signs on as KHFI-TV on UHF channel 42 in Austin.

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1. KXAN-TV
2. Official KXAN website