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{{short description|CBS affiliate in Amarillo, Texas}}
{{short description|CBS affiliate in Amarillo, Texas}}
{{Very long|date=January 2022}}
{{Very long|date=January 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox television station
{{Infobox television station
| callsign = KFDA-TV
| callsign = KFDA-TV
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----
----
[[File:Metvamarillologo.jpg|150px|center]]
[[File:Metvamarillologo.jpg|150px|center]]
| branding = NewsChannel 10<br>NewsChannel 10 Too (on DT2)<br>Telemundo Amarillo (on DT3)<br>MeTV Amarillo (on DT4)
| branding = {{ubl|NewsChannel 10|NewsChannel 10 Too (on DT2)|{{lang|es|italic=no|Telemundo Amarillo}} (on DT3)|MeTV Amarillo (on DT4)}}
| digital = 10 ([[very high frequency|VHF]])
| digital = 10 ([[VHF]])
| virtual = 10
| virtual = 10
| subchannels =
| subchannels =
| translators = [[#Translators|See below]]
| translators = ''see {{Section link||Subchannels}}''
| affiliations = {{unbulleted list|'''10.1:''' [[CBS]]|'''10.2:''' [[Independent station (North America)|Independent]]|'''[[KEYU (TV)|10.3]]:''' [[Ion Television]]|'''10.4:''' [[MeTV]]|'''10.5:''' [[Cozi TV]]|'''10.6:''' [[This TV]]}}
| affiliations = {{ubl|'''10.1:''' [[CBS]]|''for others, see {{section link||Subchannels}}''}}
| owner = [[Gray Television]]
| owner = [[Gray Television]]
| licensee = Gray Television Licensee, [[Limited liability company|LLC]]
| licensee = Gray Television Licensee, [[LLC]]
| location = [[Amarillo, Texas]]
| location = [[Amarillo, Texas]]
| country = United States
| country = United States
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| sister_stations = [[KEYU (TV)|KEYU]] <!--- Entry is intended for in-market sister stations; do not include sister stations in adjacent markets (those may be mentioned in the main article where notation is necessary)--->
| sister_stations = [[KEYU (TV)|KEYU]] <!--- Entry is intended for in-market sister stations; do not include sister stations in adjacent markets (those may be mentioned in the main article where notation is necessary)--->
| former_callsigns =
| former_callsigns =
| former_channel_numbers = '''[[Analog television|Analog]]:'''<br>10 (VHF, 1953–2009)<br>'''[[Digital terrestrial television|Digital]]:'''<br>9 (VHF, 2001–2009)
| former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|'''Analog:''' 10 (VHF, 1953–2009)|'''Digital:''' 9 (VHF, 2001–2009)}}
| former_affiliations = '''Analog/DT1:'''<br>[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] (secondary, 1953–1957)<br>'''DT2:'''<br>Telemundo (2002–2009)<br>'''DT3:''' [[UPN]] (2002–2006)<br>Independent (2006–2009)<br>'''DT4:''' [[LATV]] (2007–2011)<br>Local news/weather (2011–2018)
| former_affiliations = [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] (secondary, 1953–1957)
| erp = 20.8 [[kilowatt|kW]]
| erp = 62 [[kW]]
| haat = {{convert|466|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| haat = {{convert|466|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| facility_id = 51466
| facility_id = 51466
| coordinates = {{Coord|35|17|34|N|101|50|42|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}
| coordinates = {{Coord|35|17|34|N|101|50|44|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}
| licensing_authority = [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]]
| licensing_authority = [[FCC]]
| website = {{URL|https://www.newschannel10.com/}}
| website = {{URL|https://www.newschannel10.com/}}
}}
}}


'''KFDA-TV''' (channel 10) is a [[television station]] in [[Amarillo, Texas]], United States, affiliated with [[CBS]]. It is owned by [[Gray Television]] alongside [[Borger, Texas|Borger]]-licensed [[Telemundo]] affiliate [[KEYU (TV)|KEYU]] (channel 31). Both stations share studios on Broadway Drive (just south of West Cherry Avenue) in northern Amarillo, where KFDA's transmitter is also located.
'''KFDA-TV''' (channel 10) is a [[television station]] in [[Amarillo, Texas]], United States, affiliated with [[CBS]]. It is owned by [[Gray Television]] alongside [[Borger, Texas|Borger]]-licensed [[Telemundo]] affiliate [[KEYU (TV)|KEYU]] (channel 31). The two stations share studios on Broadway Drive (just south of West Cherry Avenue) in northern Amarillo, where KFDA's transmitter is also located.


==History==
==History==
===Early history===
===Early history===
On July 3, 1952, the Amarillo Broadcasting Company – a consortium led by radio station owners Wendell Mayes, oil, gas and publishing interest holder C. C. Woodson, Charles B. Jordan (vice president and assistant general manager of the [[Texas State Network]]), and Gene L. Cagle (Texas State Network president and general manager) – filed an application with the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) to obtain a [[broadcast license|license]] and [[Planning permission#Broadcasting|construction permit]] to operate a [[commercial broadcasting|commercial television station]] on [[Very high frequency|VHF]] channel 10.<ref>{{cite web|title=TV Applications Filed with the FCC|url=http://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/52-OCR/BC-1952-07-07-OCR-Page-0087.pdf|periodical=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]|publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc.|via=World Radio History|page=85|date=July 7, 1952|access-date=August 6, 2018}}</ref> The FCC awarded the license and permit for channel 10 to the Amarillo Broadcasting Company on October 8, 1952; the group subsequently requested and received approval to assign '''KFDA-TV''' as the television station's call letters, using the base callsign that had been used by its existing radio station on KFDA (1440 AM, now [[KPUR (AM)|KPUR]]) since it signed on in March 1939.<ref>{{cite web|title=For the Record|url=http://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/52-OCR/BC-1952-10-20-OCR-Page-0066.pdf|periodical=Broadcasting-Telecasting|publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc.|via=World Radio History|page=66|date=October 20, 1952|access-date=August 6, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=KFDA Completes Staff For Aug. 1 Inauguration|url=http://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/39-OCR/1939-08-01-BC-OCR-Page-0067.pdf|periodical=Broadcasting-Broadcast Advertising|publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc.|via=World Radio History|page=67|date=August 1, 1939|access-date=August 6, 2018}}</ref>
On July 3, 1952, the Amarillo Broadcasting Company – a consortium led by radio station owners Wendell Mayes, oil, gas and publishing interest holder C. C. Woodson, Charles B. Jordan (vice president and assistant general manager of the [[Texas State Network]]), and Gene L. Cagle (Texas State Network president and general manager) – filed an application with the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) to obtain a [[broadcast license|license]] and [[Planning permission#Broadcasting|construction permit]] to operate a [[commercial broadcasting|commercial television station]] on [[VHF]] channel 10.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=TV Applications Filed with the FCC |periodical=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]] |publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc. |page=85 |date=July 7, 1952}}</ref> The FCC awarded the license and permit for channel 10 to the Amarillo Broadcasting Company on October 8, 1952; the group subsequently requested and received approval to assign KFDA-TV as the television station's call letters, using the base callsign that had been used by its existing radio station on KFDA (1440 AM, now [[KPUR (AM)|KPUR]]) since it signed on in March 1939.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=For the Record |periodical=Broadcasting-Telecasting |publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc. |page=66 |date=October 20, 1952}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=KFDA Completes Staff For Aug. 1 Inauguration |periodical=Broadcasting-Broadcast Advertising |publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc. |page=67 |date=August 1, 1939}}</ref>


The station first signed on the air on April 4, 1953; it was the second television station to sign on in the Amarillo market, debuting two weeks after [[NBC]] affiliate KGNC-TV (channel 4, now [[KAMR-TV]]) launched as the market's first television station on March 18. Channel 10 has been an CBS television affiliate since its debut; however, it also initially carried programming from [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]], inheriting those rights through KFDA radio's longtime relationship with the television network's progenitor [[Cumulus Media Networks|ABC Radio]], which had been affiliated with that station since 1943 (as the post-NBC-split [[Blue Network]]).<ref name=bt-kfdacbs>{{cite news|title=100th Affiliate Joins CBS-TV Network|url=http://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/53-OCR/BC-1953-11-16-OCR-Page-0064.pdf|periodical=Broadcasting-Telecasting|publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc.|page=73|date=March 23, 1953|access-date=June 14, 2015}}</ref><ref name=bt-kfdaabc>{{cite news|title=Closed Circuit: TSN Acquires KFDA Control|url=http://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/53-OCR/BC-1953-11-16-OCR-Page-0064.pdf|periodical=Broadcasting-Telecasting|publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc.|page=64|date=November 16, 1953|access-date=June 14, 2015}}</ref>
The station first signed on the air on April 4, 1953; it was the second television station to sign on in the Amarillo market, debuting two weeks after [[NBC]] affiliate KGNC-TV (channel 4, now [[KAMR-TV]]) launched as the market's first television station on March 18. Channel 10 has been an CBS television affiliate since its debut; however, it also initially carried programming from [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]], inheriting those rights through KFDA radio's longtime relationship with the television network's progenitor [[Cumulus Media Networks|ABC Radio]], which had been affiliated with that station since 1943 (as the post-NBC-split [[Blue Network]]).<ref name=bt-kfdacbs>{{cite magazine |title=100th Affiliate Joins CBS-TV Network |periodical=Broadcasting-Telecasting |publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc. |page=73 |date=March 23, 1953}}</ref><ref name=bt-kfdaabc>{{cite magazine |title=Closed Circuit: TSN Acquires KFDA Control |periodical=Broadcasting-Telecasting |publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc. |page=64 |date=November 16, 1953}}</ref>


In January 1954, the Texas State Network (TSN) – a broadcasting consortium owned by [[Sid W. Richardson]] (philanthropist and owner of, among other petroleum firms in the state, Fort Worth-based Sid W. Richardson Inc. and Richardson and Bass Oil Producers), media executive Gene L. Cagle, mineral rights firm owner R. K. Hanger, company president Charles B. Jordan and D. C. Homburg – acquired a 75% controlling stake in KFDA-AM-TV from the original stockholders for $525,000, with Jordan retaining his existing 25% interest.<ref name=bt-kfdaabc/><ref name=bt-kfdatsn>{{cite news |title= Transfer Bids Filed For KFDA-AM-TV, KTOK |url= http://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/54-OCR/1954-01-11-BC-OCR-Page-0056.pdf |periodical= Broadcasting-Telecasting |publisher= Broadcasting Publications, Inc. |page=56 |type=PDF |date= January 11, 1954 |access-date= June 14, 2015}}<br>{{cite web |title= For the Record |url= http://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/54-OCR/1954-01-18-BC-OCR-Page-0109.pdf |periodical= Broadcasting |publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc. |page=109 |date= January 18, 1954 |access-date= August 7, 2018}}</ref> KFDA disaffiliated from ABC shortly before [[KVII-TV]] (channel 7) signed on as an affiliate of that network on December 21, 1957, with the station remaining an exclusive CBS affiliate. In January 1958, Jordan divested his stake in KFDA-TV to TSN/Amarillo Broadcasting in exchange for full ownership of KFDA radio through his firm, the Lone Star Broadcasting Company. Despite this separation of ownership, the KFDA television and radio stations continued to share a base call sign until 1966, when the radio station changed its call letters to KPUR, in order to comply with a since-repealed FCC rule that prohibited separately owned television and radio stations that were based in the same media market from sharing the same call letters.<ref name=b-kfdaamtvsplit1>{{cite news|title=Changing Hands|url=http://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/57-OCR/1957-12-16-BC-OCR-Page-0080.pdf|periodical=Broadcasting|publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc.|page=80|date=December 16, 1957|access-date=June 14, 2015}}</ref><ref name=b-kfdaamtvsplit2>{{cite news|title=For the Record|url=http://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/58-OCR/1958-01-13-BC-OCR-Page-0112.pdf|periodical=Broadcasting|publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc.|page=110|date=January 13, 1958|access-date=June 14, 2015}}</ref><ref name=b-kfdaamtokpur>{{cite web|title=For the Record|url=http://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/66-OCR/1966-08-29-BC-OCR-Page-0083.pdf|periodical=Broadcasting|publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc.|page=83|date=August 29, 1966|access-date=June 14, 2015}}</ref>
In January 1954, the Texas State Network (TSN) – a broadcasting consortium owned by [[Sid W. Richardson]] (philanthropist and owner of, among other petroleum firms in the state, Fort Worth-based Sid W. Richardson Inc. and Richardson and Bass Oil Producers), media executive Gene L. Cagle, mineral rights firm owner R. K. Hanger, company president Charles B. Jordan and D. C. Homburg – acquired a 75% controlling stake in KFDA-AM-TV from the original stockholders for $525,000, with Jordan retaining his existing 25% interest.<ref name=bt-kfdaabc/><ref name=bt-kfdatsn>{{cite magazine |title=Transfer Bids Filed For KFDA-AM-TV, KTOK |periodical=Broadcasting-Telecasting |publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc. |page=56 |type=PDF |date=January 11, 1954}}<br>{{cite magazine |title=For the Record |periodical=Broadcasting |publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc. |page=109 |date=January 18, 1954}}</ref> KFDA disaffiliated from ABC shortly before [[KVII-TV]] (channel 7) signed on as an affiliate of that network on December 21, 1957, with the station remaining an exclusive CBS affiliate. In January 1958, Jordan divested his stake in KFDA-TV to TSN/Amarillo Broadcasting in exchange for full ownership of KFDA radio through his firm, the Lone Star Broadcasting Company. Despite this separation of ownership, the KFDA television and radio stations continued to share a base call sign until 1966, when the radio station changed its call letters to KPUR, in order to comply with a since-repealed FCC rule that prohibited separately owned television and radio stations that were based in the same media market from sharing the same call letters.<ref name=b-kfdaamtvsplit1>{{cite magazine |title=Changing Hands |periodical=Broadcasting |publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc. |page=80 |date=December 16, 1957}}</ref><ref name=b-kfdaamtvsplit2>{{cite magazine |title=For the Record |periodical=Broadcasting |publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc. |page=110 |date=January 13, 1958}}</ref><ref name=b-kfdaamtokpur>{{cite magazine |title=For the Record |periodical=Broadcasting |publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc. |page=83 |date=August 29, 1966}}</ref>


In an effort to expand its viewing area, KFDA-TV launched a network of UHF translators to serve areas of the Texas Panhandle that were not covered by its main signal. KFDA's parent companies during the timeframe also acquired two standalone network affiliates during the mid-1960s for conversion into [[Broadcast relay station#Satellite stations|satellite stations]] to reach areas where its primary signal was impaired by some of the rugged terrain within the Panhandle. The station was all but unviewable in [[Clovis, New Mexico|Clovis]], [[Portales, New Mexico|Portales]] and surrounding areas of northeastern New Mexico as well as portions of the far eastern Texas Panhandle. Many viewers in those areas received CBS programming either via KGGM-TV (now [[KRQE-TV]]) in [[Albuquerque]] or [[KWTV-DT|KWTV]] in [[Oklahoma City]]. On September 11, 1963, the Texas State Network purchased primary CBS and secondary ABC affiliate KICA-TV (channel 12) in Clovis from Marshall Enterprises (owned by John H. Marshall Sr., John H. Marshall Jr., Lena V. Marshall and Carolyn A. Marshall) for $350,000; the sale was approved on January 22, 1964. TSN subsequently changed the Clovis station's call letters to KFDW-TV to match its new parent station.<ref>{{cite news|title=For the Record|url=http://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/63-OCR/1963-09-16-BC-OCR-Page-0015.pdf|periodical=Broadcasting|publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc.|page=112|date=September 16, 1963|access-date=August 7, 2018}}</ref><ref name=b-kicabuy1>{{cite news|title=Changing hands|url=http://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/64-OCR/1964-01-27-BC-OCR-Page-0066.pdf|periodical=Broadcasting|publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc.|page=60|date=January 27, 1964|access-date=June 14, 2015}}</ref><ref name=b-kicabuy2>{{cite web|title=For the Record|url=http://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/64-OCR/1964-02-03-BC-OCR-Page-0086.pdf|periodical=Broadcasting|publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc.|page=82|date=February 3, 1964|access-date=June 14, 2015}}</ref><ref name=b-kicatokfdw>{{cite web|title=For the Record|url=http://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/64-OCR/1964-03-30-BC-OCR-Page-0149.pdf|periodical=Broadcasting|publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc.|page=149|date=March 30, 1964|access-date=June 14, 2015}}</ref>
In an effort to expand its viewing area, KFDA-TV launched a network of UHF translators to serve areas of the Texas Panhandle that were not covered by its main signal. KFDA's parent companies during the timeframe also acquired two standalone network affiliates during the mid-1960s for conversion into [[Broadcast relay station#Satellite stations|satellite stations]] to reach areas where its primary signal was impaired by some of the rugged terrain within the Panhandle. The station was all but unviewable in [[Clovis, New Mexico|Clovis]], [[Portales, New Mexico|Portales]] and surrounding areas of northeastern New Mexico as well as portions of the far eastern Texas Panhandle. Many viewers in those areas received CBS programming either via KGGM-TV (now [[KRQE-TV]]) in [[Albuquerque]] or [[KWTV]] in [[Oklahoma City]]. On September 11, 1963, the Texas State Network purchased primary CBS and secondary ABC affiliate KICA-TV (channel 12) in Clovis from Marshall Enterprises (owned by John H. Marshall Sr., John H. Marshall Jr., Lena V. Marshall and Carolyn A. Marshall) for $350,000; the sale was approved on January 22, 1964. TSN subsequently changed the Clovis station's call letters to KFDW-TV to match its new parent station.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=For the Record |periodical=Broadcasting |publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc. |page=112 |date=September 16, 1963}}</ref><ref name=b-kicabuy1>{{cite magazine |title=Changing hands |periodical=Broadcasting |publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc. |page=60 |date=January 27, 1964}}</ref><ref name=b-kicabuy2>{{cite magazine |title=For the Record |periodical=Broadcasting |publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc. |page=82 |date=February 3, 1964}}</ref><ref name=b-kicatokfdw>{{cite magazine |title=For the Record |periodical=Broadcasting |publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc. |page=149 |date=March 30, 1964}}</ref>


The owner of KFDA-TV and its satellites changed its name from the Texas State Network to the Bass Broadcasting Company – by then, led by investor/philanthropist [[Perry Richardson Bass|Perry R. Bass]] – in April 1965 (following TSN's sale of [[KFLC|KFJZ-AM]]-[[KEGL|FM]] in Fort Worth to a company that subsequently took on the Texas State Network name).<ref name=b-tsntobass>{{cite news|title=For the Record|url=http://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/65-OCR/1965-04-26-BC-OCR-Page-0076.pdf|periodical=Broadcasting|publisher=Broadcast Publications, Inc.|page=76|date=April 26, 1965|access-date=June 14, 2015}}</ref><ref name=b-kfjzsale>{{cite news|title=For the Record|url=http://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/65-OCR/1965-03-08-BC-OCR-Page-0092.pdf|periodical=Broadcasting|publisher=Broadcast Publications, Inc.|page=92|date=March 8, 1965|access-date=June 14, 2015}}</ref><ref name=b-kfjznewtsn>{{cite news|title=For the Record|url=http://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1965/1965-10-18-BC.pdf|periodical=Broadcasting|publisher=Broadcast Publications, Inc.|page=112|date=October 18, 1965|access-date=June 15, 2015}}</ref> The following year, in February 1966, the Bass family acquired a majority stake in the company from the Sid W. Richardson Foundation (a move that followed concerns from [[United States Congress|Congress]] and the [[United States Department of the Treasury|Department of the Treasury]] regarding nonprofit foundations' business interests) and Gene Cagle (who gave up his interest in Bass in exchange for acquiring [[KRIO (AM)|KRIO]] in [[McAllen, Texas|McAllen]] from the company) for nearly $2.3 million.<ref name=b-richardsontobass>{{cite news|title=Richardson sale of properties OK'd|url=http://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/66-OCR/1966-02-07-BC-OCR-Page-0046.pdf|periodical=Broadcasting|publisher=Broadcast Publications, Inc.|page=46|date=February 7, 1966|access-date=June 15, 2015}}<br>{{cite web|title=For the Record|url=http://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/66-OCR/1966-02-07-BC-OCR-Page-0078.pdf|periodical=Broadcasting|publisher=Broadcast Publications, Inc.|page=78|date=February 7, 1966|access-date=June 15, 2015}}</ref> On July 1 of that year, Bass Broadcasting acquired CBS affiliate KSWB (channel 8) in [[Elk City, Oklahoma]] from Southwest Broadcasting Company (owned by Lonnie J. Preston and Alice H. Preston) for $275,000, including a [[non-compete clause|non-compete agreement]] for Southwest Broadcasting worth $50,000. The sale, along with a concurrent renewal request for the KSWB license and proposed upgrades to its transmitter facility, received FCC approval on November 17, 1965. In September 1966, KSWB was converted into a KFDA satellite under the call letters KFDO-TV (which also had its [[city of license]] relocated to the nearby city of [[Sayre, Oklahoma|Sayre]]), to relay its programming into portions of western Oklahoma who could not adequately receive CBS programming from KWTV. (The KSWB call letters are currently used by a [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]]-affiliated [[KSWB-TV|television station]] in [[San Diego]], [[California]].)<ref name=b-kswbbuy>{{cite web|title=For the Record|url=http://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/65-OCR/1965-07-12-BC-OCR-Page-0086.pdf|periodical=Broadcasting|publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc.|page=86|date=July 12, 1965|access-date=June 14, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Changing Hands|url=http://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/65-OCR/1965-11-22-BC-OCR-Page-0055.pdf|periodical=Broadcasting|publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc.|page=69|date=November 22, 1965|access-date=August 7, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=For the Record|url=http://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/65-OCR/1965-11-29-BC-OCR-Page-0065.pdf|periodical=Broadcasting|publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc.|page=69|date=November 29, 1965|access-date=August 7, 2018}}</ref><ref name=b-kswbtokfdo>{{cite web|title=For the Record|url=http://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/66-OCR/1966-03-14-BC-OCR-Page-0084.pdf|periodical=Broadcasting|publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc.|page=94|date=March 14, 1966|access-date=June 14, 2015}}</ref><ref name=b-kfdosayre>{{cite web|title=Station Turnover Evens Off|url=http://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/67-OCR/1967-02-27-BC-OCR-Page-0078.pdf|periodical=Broadcasting|publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc.|page=78|date=February 27, 1967|access-date=June 14, 2015}}</ref>
The owner of KFDA-TV and its satellites changed its name from the Texas State Network to the Bass Broadcasting Company – by then, led by investor/philanthropist [[Perry Richardson Bass|Perry R. Bass]] – in April 1965 (following TSN's sale of [[KFLC|KFJZ-AM]]-[[KEGL|FM]] in Fort Worth to a company that subsequently took on the Texas State Network name).<ref name=b-tsntobass>{{cite magazine |title=For the Record |periodical=Broadcasting |publisher=Broadcast Publications, Inc. |page=76 |date=April 26, 1965}}</ref><ref name=b-kfjzsale>{{cite magazine |title=For the Record |periodical=Broadcasting |publisher=Broadcast Publications, Inc. |page=92 |date=March 8, 1965}}</ref><ref name=b-kfjznewtsn>{{cite magazine |title=For the Record |periodical=Broadcasting |publisher=Broadcast Publications, Inc. |page=112 |date=October 18, 1965}}</ref> The following year, in February 1966, the Bass family acquired a majority stake in the company from the Sid W. Richardson Foundation (a move that followed concerns from [[United States Congress|Congress]] and the [[United States Department of the Treasury|Treasury Department]] regarding nonprofit foundations' business interests) and Gene Cagle (who gave up his interest in Bass in exchange for acquiring [[KRIO (AM)|KRIO]] in [[McAllen]] from the company) for nearly $2.3 million.<ref name=b-richardsontobass>{{cite magazine |title=Richardson sale of properties OK'd |periodical=Broadcasting |publisher=Broadcast Publications, Inc. |page=46 |date=February 7, 1966}}<br>{{cite magazine |title=For the Record |periodical=Broadcasting |publisher=Broadcast Publications, Inc. |page=78 |date=February 7, 1966}}</ref> On July 1 of that year, Bass Broadcasting acquired CBS affiliate KSWB (channel 8) in [[Elk City, Oklahoma]], from Southwest Broadcasting Company (owned by Lonnie J. Preston and Alice H. Preston) for $275,000, including a [[non-compete agreement]] for Southwest Broadcasting worth $50,000. The sale, along with a concurrent renewal request for the KSWB license and proposed upgrades to its transmitter facility, received FCC approval on November 17, 1965. In September 1966, KSWB was converted into a KFDA satellite under the call letters KFDO-TV (which also had its [[city of license]] relocated to the nearby city of [[Sayre, Oklahoma|Sayre]]), to relay its programming into portions of western Oklahoma who could not adequately receive CBS programming from KWTV.<ref name=b-kswbbuy>{{cite magazine |title=For the Record |periodical=Broadcasting |publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc. |page=86 |date=July 12, 1965}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Changing Hands |periodical=Broadcasting |publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc. |page=69 |date=November 22, 1965}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=For the Record |periodical=Broadcasting |publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc. |page=69 |date=November 29, 1965}}</ref><ref name=b-kswbtokfdo>{{cite magazine |title=For the Record |periodical=Broadcasting |publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc. |page=94 |date=March 14, 1966}}</ref><ref name=b-kfdosayre>{{cite magazine |title=Station Turnover Evens Off |periodical=Broadcasting |publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc. |page=78 |date=February 27, 1967}}</ref>


The Bass family decided to exit broadcasting in the mid-1970s to focus on their oil and gas exploration interests.<ref name=b-kfdwsale>{{cite news|title=Changing Hands|url=http://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/76-OCR/1976-08-16-BC-OCR-Page-0030.pdf|periodical=Broadcasting|publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc.|page=30|date=August 16, 1976|access-date=June 15, 2015}}</ref> In October 1975, Bass Broadcasting Co. sold KFDO-TV to Amarillo-based Marsh Media Ltd. – owned by entrepreneur and philanthropist [[Stanley Marsh 3]], Tom F. Marsh, Michael C. Marsh and Estelle Marsh Wattlington – for $300,000; Marsh converted KFDO into a satellite station of KVII (under the new calls KVIJ-TV), and along with it, changing the satellite's affiliation from CBS to ABC, serving areas where reception of [[KOCO-TV]] in Oklahoma City was not efficient. (KVIJ ceased operations on December 2, 1992, citing the fact that the majority of ABC's viewership in west-central Oklahoma came via either reception of KOCO-TV or KSWO-TV in Lawton on local cable providers in that area.)<ref>{{cite web|title=Changing Hands|url=http://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/75-OCR/1975-10-13-BC-OCR-Page-0031.pdf|periodical=Broadcasting-Telecasting|publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc.|via=World Radio History|page=35|date=October 3, 1975|access-date=August 4, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=For the Record|url=http://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/76-OCR/1976-01-12-BC-OCR-Page-0046.pdf|periodical=Broadcasting-Telecasting|publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc.|via=World Radio History|page=46|date=January 12, 1976|access-date=August 4, 2018}}</ref><ref name=b-kfdotokvij>{{cite news|title=Call letters|url=http://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/76-OCR/1976-02-23-BC-OCR-Page-0105.pdf|periodical=Broadcasting|publisher=Broadcast Publications, Inc.|page=105|date=February 23, 1976|access-date=June 15, 2015}}</ref><ref name=b-kfdosale>{{cite news|title=Changing Hands|url=http://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/75-OCR/1975-10-13-BC-OCR-Page-0031.pdf|periodical=Broadcasting|publisher=Broadcast Publications, Inc.|page=35|date=October 13, 1975|access-date=June 15, 2015}}</ref>
The Bass family decided to exit broadcasting in the mid-1970s to focus on their oil and gas exploration interests.<ref name=b-kfdwsale>{{cite magazine |title=Changing Hands |periodical=Broadcasting |publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc. |page=30 |date=August 16, 1976}}</ref> In October 1975, Bass Broadcasting Co. sold KFDO-TV to Amarillo-based Marsh Media Ltd. – owned by entrepreneur and philanthropist [[Stanley Marsh 3]], Tom F. Marsh, Michael C. Marsh and Estelle Marsh Wattlington – for $300,000; Marsh converted KFDO into a satellite station of KVII (under the new calls [[KVIJ-TV]]), and along with it, changing the satellite's affiliation from CBS to ABC, serving areas where reception of [[KOCO-TV]] in Oklahoma City was not sufficient. (KVIJ ceased operations on December 2, 1992, citing the fact that the majority of ABC's viewership in west-central Oklahoma came via either reception of KOCO-TV or KSWO-TV in Lawton on local cable providers in that area.)<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Changing Hands |periodical=Broadcasting-Telecasting |publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc. |page=35 |date=October 3, 1975}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=For the Record |periodical=Broadcasting-Telecasting |publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc. |page=46 |date=January 12, 1976}}</ref><ref name=b-kfdotokvij>{{cite magazine |title=Call letters |periodical=Broadcasting |publisher=Broadcast Publications, Inc. |page=105 |date=February 23, 1976}}</ref><ref name=b-kfdosale>{{cite magazine |title=Changing Hands |periodical=Broadcasting |publisher=Broadcast Publications, Inc. |page=35 |date=October 13, 1975}}</ref>


===Transfer to Drewry===
===Transfer to Drewry===
In May 1976, KFDA-TV was sold to the Panhandle Telecasting Company (originally known as Amarillo Telecasters, and under licensee to Midessa Television Inc.) – a partnership of Ray Herndon, majority owner of [[KMID (TV)|KMID-TV]] in [[Midland, Texas|Midland]], and R.H. Drewry, owner of [[KSWO-TV]] in [[Lawton, Oklahoma]] – for $2.8 million; the sale was received FCC approval 3½ months later on August 20. The sale of KFDA did not include KFDW-TV, which was instead included in a sale of Bass's remaining stations to Mel Wheeler, Inc. a few months later in a $2.2-million deal. (After subsequent sales, KFDW would become KMCC-TV, a satellite of [[Lubbock, Texas|Lubbock]] ABC affiliate [[KAMC]] in 1979, and KVIH-TV, a satellite of KVII, in 1986; KVIH remains a KVII satellite to this day.)<ref name=b-saletopanhandle1>{{cite news|title=Changing Hands|url=http://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/76-OCR/1976-05-10-BC-OCR-Page-0030.pdf|periodical=Broadcasting|publisher=Broadcast Publications, Inc.|page=30|date=May 10, 1976|access-date=June 15, 2015}}</ref><ref name=b-saletopanhandle2>{{cite news|title=Changing Hands|url=http://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/76-OCR/1976-09-06-BC-OCR-Page-0041.pdf|periodical=Broadcasting|publisher=Broadcast Publications, Inc.|page=41|date=September 6, 1976|access-date=June 15, 2015}}</ref> In October 1983, Drewry (through his [[Drewry Communications|Lawton Cablevision Inc.]] subsidiary) acquired majority control of KFDA for $3 million; the transaction received FCC approval on February 27, 1984.<ref name=b-saletopanhandle1/><ref name=b-kfdwsale/><ref name=b-saletodrewry1>{{cite news|title=Changing Hands|url=http://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/83-OCR/BC-1983-10-31-OCR-Page-0070.pdf|periodical=Broadcasting|publisher=Broadcast Publications, Inc.|page=70|date=October 31, 1983|access-date=June 15, 2015}}</ref><ref name=b-saletodrewry2>{{cite news|title=Changing Hands|url=http://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/84-OCR/BC-1984-02-06-OCR-Page-0164.pdf|periodical=Broadcasting|publisher=Broadcast Publications, Inc.|page=164|date=February 6, 1984|access-date=June 15, 2015}}</ref>
In May 1976, KFDA-TV was sold to the Panhandle Telecasting Company (originally known as Amarillo Telecasters, and under licensee to Midessa Television Inc.) – a partnership of Ray Herndon, majority owner of [[KMID-TV]] in [[Midland, Texas|Midland]], and R.H. Drewry, owner of [[KSWO-TV]] in [[Lawton, Oklahoma]] – for $2.8 million; the sale was received FCC approval 3½ months later on August 20. The sale of KFDA did not include KFDW-TV, which was instead included in a sale of Bass's remaining stations to Mel Wheeler, Inc. a few months later in a $2.2-million deal. (After subsequent sales, KFDW would become KMCC-TV, a satellite of [[Lubbock]] ABC affiliate [[KAMC]] in 1979, and KVIH-TV, a satellite of KVII, in 1986; KVIH remains a KVII satellite to this day.)<ref name=b-saletopanhandle1>{{cite magazine |title=Changing Hands |periodical=Broadcasting |publisher=Broadcast Publications, Inc. |page=30 |date=May 10, 1976}}</ref><ref name=b-saletopanhandle2>{{cite magazine |title=Changing Hands |periodical=Broadcasting |publisher=Broadcast Publications, Inc. |page=41 |date=September 6, 1976}}</ref> In October 1983, Drewry (through his [[Drewry Communications|Lawton Cablevision Inc.]] subsidiary) acquired majority control of KFDA for $3 million; the transaction received FCC approval on February 27, 1984.<ref name=b-saletopanhandle1/><ref name=b-kfdwsale/><ref name=b-saletodrewry1>{{cite magazine |title=Changing Hands |periodical=Broadcasting |publisher=Broadcast Publications, Inc. |page=70 |date=October 31, 1983}}</ref><ref name=b-saletodrewry2>{{cite magazine |title=Changing Hands |periodical=Broadcasting |publisher=Broadcast Publications, Inc. |page=164 |date=February 6, 1984}}</ref>


On July 1, 2008, Drewry Communications Group announced its intention to sell its eleven television stations (as well as sister radio property [[KVLM|KTXC]] in [[Lamesa, Texas|Lamesa]]) to the Dallas-based London Broadcasting Company—a company founded by Terry E. London, former CEO of [[Ryman Hospitality Properties|Gaylord Entertainment]], the previous year to acquire broadcast properties in small to mid-sized markets within Texas, beginning operations with the February 2008 purchase of CBS affiliate [[KYTX]] in [[Tyler, Texas|Tyler]]—for $115 million. While the deal received approval by the FCC, London Broadcasting filed a notice of non-consummation to the FCC in January 2009, after company management decided to terminate the deal due to market uncertainties resulting from the [[Great Recession in the United States|Great Recession]].<ref>{{cite web|title=London Buys Drewry Stations|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/programming/london-buys-drewry-stations/32664|author=Michael Malone|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable|publisher=Reed Business Information|date=July 1, 2008|access-date=August 15, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=London Broadcasting buys 11 stations from Drewry|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/stories/2008/06/30/daily34.html|newspaper=Dallas Business Journal|publisher=[[American City Business Journals]]|date=July 2, 2008|access-date=August 15, 2015}}</ref><ref name="kfda-saletolondon">{{cite news|title=NewsChannel 10 is purchased by London Broadcasting|url=http://www.newschannel10.com/Global/story.asp?S=8582337|website=KFDA-TV|publisher=[[Drewry Communications]]|date=June 30, 2008|access-date=October 22, 2009}}</ref><ref name="tvbr-nosaletolondon">{{cite news|title=London adds a market, leaves a crater|url=http://www.rbr.com/tv-cable/tv_deals/12348.html|newspaper=Radio-Television Business Report|publisher=Streamline-RBR, Inc.|date=January 16, 2009|access-date=October 22, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090621022235/http://www.rbr.com/tv-cable/tv_deals/12348.html|archive-date=June 21, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>
On July 1, 2008, Drewry Communications Group announced its intention to sell its eleven television stations (as well as sister radio property [[KVLM|KTXC]] in [[Lamesa]]) to the Dallas-based London Broadcasting Company—a company founded by Terry E. London, former CEO of [[Gaylord Entertainment]], the previous year to acquire broadcast properties in small to mid-sized markets within Texas, beginning operations with the February 2008 purchase of CBS affiliate [[KYTX]] in [[Tyler, Texas|Tyler]]—for $115 million. While the deal received approval by the FCC, London Broadcasting filed a notice of non-consummation to the FCC in January 2009, after company management decided to terminate the deal due to market uncertainties resulting from the [[Great Recession in the United States|Great Recession]].<ref>{{cite web |title=London Buys Drewry Stations |url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/programming/london-buys-drewry-stations/32664 |first=Michael|last=Malone |periodical=Broadcasting & Cable |publisher=Reed Business Information |date=July 1, 2008 |access-date=August 15, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=London Broadcasting buys 11 stations from Drewry |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/stories/2008/06/30/daily34.html |newspaper=Dallas Business Journal |publisher=[[American City Business Journals]] |date=July 2, 2008 |access-date=August 15, 2015}}</ref><ref name="kfda-saletolondon">{{cite news |title=NewsChannel 10 is purchased by London Broadcasting |url=http://www.newschannel10.com/Global/story.asp?S=8582337 |website=KFDA-TV |publisher=[[Drewry Communications]] |date=June 30, 2008 |access-date=October 22, 2009}}</ref><ref name="tvbr-nosaletolondon">{{cite news |title=London adds a market, leaves a crater |url=http://www.rbr.com/tv-cable/tv_deals/12348.html |newspaper=Radio-Television Business Report |publisher=Streamline-RBR, Inc. |date=January 16, 2009 |access-date=October 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090621022235/http://www.rbr.com/tv-cable/tv_deals/12348.html |archive-date=June 21, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>


On February 23, 2011, KFDA became the first television station in the Amarillo market (and the [[West Texas]] region as a whole) to carry [[Broadcast syndication|syndicated programming]] and advertisements inserted during local commercial breaks (including station and network promos) in [[high-definition television|high definition]]. The station upgraded its [[master control]] facilities to allow content not directly fed by CBS or produced in-house to be transmitted in HD.<ref name=b&c-kfdahdnews>{{cite news|title=West Texas Gets Hi-Def News|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/technology/west-texas-gets-hi-def-news/48204|author=George Winslow|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable|publisher=NewBay Media|date=March 7, 2011|access-date=June 14, 2015}}</ref>
On February 23, 2011, KFDA became the first television station in the Amarillo market (and the [[West Texas]] region as a whole) to carry [[syndicated programming]] and advertisements inserted during local commercial breaks (including station and network promos) in [[high-definition television|high definition]]. The station upgraded its [[master control]] facilities to allow content not directly fed by CBS or produced in-house to be transmitted in HD.<ref name=b&c-kfdahdnews>{{cite news |title=West Texas Gets Hi-Def News |url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/technology/west-texas-gets-hi-def-news/48204 |first=George|last=Winslow |periodical=Broadcasting & Cable |publisher=NewBay Media |date=March 7, 2011 |access-date=June 14, 2015}}</ref>


===Raycom ownership and sale to Gray===
===Raycom ownership and sale to Gray===
On August 10, 2015, [[Montgomery, Alabama]]-based [[Raycom Media]] announced that it would purchase Drewry Communications' eight television and two radio stations (which by then included Amarillo radio station KEYU-FM (102.9, now [[KVWE (FM)|KVWE]]) for $160 million. The sale was completed on December 1; as result of the Raycom purchase, KFDA gained a new sister station in NBC affiliate [[KCBD]] in the adjacent Lubbock market (which Raycom has owned since it acquired [[Greenville, South Carolina]]-based [[Liberty Corporation]]'s television broadcasting unit in 2006.).<ref name="TVNC Drewry Raycom">{{cite web|title=Raycom Buying Drewry For $160 Million|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/87548/raycom-buying-drewry-for-160-million|author=Harry A. Jessell|website=TVNewsCheck|publisher=NewsCheck Media|date=August 10, 2015|access-date=August 12, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Raycom Acquires Drewry Stations for $160 Million|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/local-tv/raycom-acquires-drewry-stations-160-million/143460|author=Michael Malone|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable|publisher=NewBay Media|date=August 18, 2015|access-date=August 4, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Raycom Media Completes $160 Million Acquisition of Drewry Communications|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/local-tv/raycom-media-completes-160-million-acquisition-drewry-communications/146111|author=Jonathan Kuperberg|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable|publisher=NewBay Media|date=December 1, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Raycom Closes On Drewry TV-Radio Buy|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/90407/raycom-closes-on-drewry-tvradio-buy|website=TVNewsCheck|publisher=NewsCheck Media|date=December 1, 2015|access-date=June 23, 2018}}</ref>
On August 10, 2015, [[Montgomery, Alabama]]–based [[Raycom Media]] announced that it would purchase Drewry Communications' eight television and two radio stations (which by then included Amarillo radio station KEYU-FM (102.9, now [[KVWE (FM)|KVWE]]) for $160 million. The sale was completed on December 1; as result of the Raycom purchase, KFDA gained a new sister station in NBC affiliate [[KCBD]] in the adjacent Lubbock market (which Raycom has owned since it acquired [[Greenville, South Carolina]]–based [[Liberty Corporation]]'s television broadcasting unit in 2006.).<ref name="TVNC Drewry Raycom">{{cite web |title=Raycom Buying Drewry For $160 Million |url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/87548/raycom-buying-drewry-for-160-million |first=Harry A.|last=Jessell |website=TVNewsCheck |publisher=NewsCheck Media |date=August 10, 2015 |access-date=August 12, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Raycom Acquires Drewry Stations for $160 Million |url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/local-tv/raycom-acquires-drewry-stations-160-million/143460 |first=Michael|last=Malone |periodical=Broadcasting & Cable |publisher=NewBay Media |date=August 18, 2015 |access-date=August 4, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Raycom Media Completes $160 Million Acquisition of Drewry Communications |url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/local-tv/raycom-media-completes-160-million-acquisition-drewry-communications/146111 |first=Jonathan|last=Kuperberg |periodical=Broadcasting & Cable |publisher=NewBay Media |date=December 1, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Raycom Closes On Drewry TV-Radio Buy |url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/90407/raycom-closes-on-drewry-tvradio-buy |website=TVNewsCheck |publisher=NewsCheck Media |date=December 1, 2015 |access-date=June 23, 2018}}</ref>


On June 25, 2018, [[Atlanta]]-based [[Gray Television]] announced it had reached an agreement with Raycom to merge their respective broadcasting assets (consisting of Raycom's 63 existing owned-and/or-operated television stations, including KFDA-TV and KEYU as well as Lubbock sister station KCBD, and Gray's 93 television stations) under the former's corporate umbrella. The cash-and-stock merger transaction valued at $3.6 billion – in which Gray shareholders would acquire preferred stock currently held by Raycom – resulted in KFDA/KEYU gaining a new [[sister station]] in the [[Odessa, Texas|Odessa]]–Midland market as Gray retained ownership of fellow CBS affiliate [[KOSA-TV]] in exchange for selling NBC affiliate [[KWES-TV]] (which was sold to [[Tegna Inc.]], along with CBS affiliate [[WTOL]] in [[Toledo, Ohio]], to comply with FCC ownership rules prohibiting common ownership of two of the four highest-rated stations in a single market).<ref>{{cite press release|title=GRAY AND RAYCOM TO COMBINE IN A $3.6 BILLION TRANSACTION|url=https://www.raycommedia.com/gray-and-raycom-to-combine-in-a-3-6-billion-transaction/#amnewsers|website=[[Raycom Media]]|date=June 25, 2018|access-date=July 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625161249/https://www.raycommedia.com/gray-and-raycom-to-combine-in-a-3-6-billion-transaction/#amnewsers|archive-date=June 25, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="graycom">{{cite web|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/114556/gray-to-buy-raycom-for-36-billion|title=Gray To Buy Raycom For $3.6 Billion|last=Miller|first=Mark K.|work=TVNewsCheck|publisher=NewsCheckMedia|date=June 25, 2018|access-date=June 25, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Gray Buying Raycom for $3.6B|url=https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/gray-buying-raycom-for-3-6b|author=John Eggerton|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable|publisher=NewBay Media|date=June 25, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Gray Acquiring Raycom For $3.65B, Forming No. 3 Local TV Group|url=https://deadline.com/2018/06/grey-acquiring-raycom-for-3-65-billion-forming-no-3-local-tv-group-1202416667/|author=Dade Hayes|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]|date=June 25, 2018}}</ref> The sale was approved on December 20,<ref>[https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/fcc-ok-with-gray-raycom-merger "FCC OK with Gray/Raycom Merger"], [[Broadcasting & Cable]], 20 December 2018, Retrieved 20 December 2018.</ref> and was completed on January 2, 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/227754/gray-closes-3-6-billion-raycom-merger/|title=Gray Closes On $3.6 Billion Raycom Merger|work=TVNewsCheck|publisher=NewsCheckMedia|date=January 2, 2019|access-date=January 3, 2019}}</ref><ref>[https://gray.tv/uploads/documents/pressreleases/Press%20Release%20re%20Completion%20of%20Raycom%20Acquisition.pdf "Gray Completes Acquisition of Raycom Media and Related Transactions"], [[Gray Television]], January 2, 2019, Retrieved January 2, 2019.</ref>
On June 25, 2018, [[Atlanta]]-based [[Gray Television]] announced it had reached an agreement with Raycom to merge their respective broadcasting assets (consisting of Raycom's 63 existing owned-and/or-operated television stations, including KFDA-TV and KEYU as well as Lubbock sister station KCBD, and Gray's 93 television stations) under the former's corporate umbrella. The cash-and-stock merger transaction valued at $3.6 billion – in which Gray shareholders would acquire preferred stock currently held by Raycom – resulted in KFDA/KEYU gaining a new [[sister station]] in the [[Odessa, Texas|Odessa]]–Midland market as Gray retained ownership of fellow CBS affiliate [[KOSA-TV]] in exchange for selling NBC affiliate [[KWES-TV]] (which was sold to [[Tegna Inc.]], along with CBS affiliate [[WTOL]] in [[Toledo, Ohio]], to comply with FCC ownership rules prohibiting common ownership of two of the four highest-rated stations in a single market).<ref>{{cite press release |title=GRAY AND RAYCOM TO COMBINE IN A $3.6 BILLION TRANSACTION |url=https://www.raycommedia.com/gray-and-raycom-to-combine-in-a-3-6-billion-transaction/#amnewsers |website=[[Raycom Media]] |date=June 25, 2018 |access-date=July 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625161249/https://www.raycommedia.com/gray-and-raycom-to-combine-in-a-3-6-billion-transaction/#amnewsers |archive-date=June 25, 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="graycom">{{cite web |url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/114556/gray-to-buy-raycom-for-36-billion |title=Gray To Buy Raycom For $3.6 Billion |last=Miller |first=Mark K. |work=TVNewsCheck |publisher=NewsCheckMedia |date=June 25, 2018 |access-date=June 25, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Gray Buying Raycom for $3.6B |url=https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/gray-buying-raycom-for-3-6b |first=John|last=Eggerton |periodical=Broadcasting & Cable |publisher=NewBay Media |date=June 25, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Gray Acquiring Raycom For $3.65B, Forming No. 3 Local TV Group |url=https://deadline.com/2018/06/grey-acquiring-raycom-for-3-65-billion-forming-no-3-local-tv-group-1202416667/ |first=Dade|last=Hayes |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |date=June 25, 2018}}</ref> The sale was approved on December 20,<ref>[https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/fcc-ok-with-gray-raycom-merger "FCC OK with Gray/Raycom Merger"], [[Broadcasting & Cable]], December 20, 2018, Retrieved December 20, 2018.</ref> and was completed on January 2, 2019.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/227754/gray-closes-3-6-billion-raycom-merger/ |title=Gray Closes On $3.6 Billion Raycom Merger |work=TVNewsCheck |publisher=NewsCheckMedia |date=January 2, 2019 |access-date=January 3, 2019}}</ref><ref>[https://gray.tv/uploads/documents/pressreleases/Press%20Release%20re%20Completion%20of%20Raycom%20Acquisition.pdf "Gray Completes Acquisition of Raycom Media and Related Transactions"], [[Gray Television]], January 2, 2019, Retrieved January 2, 2019.</ref>

==Subchannel history==
===KFDA-DT2===
[[Image:Kzbz.PNG|thumb|right|120px|Former logo for KZBZ from 2006 to 2009, prior the converting to the "NewsChannel 10 Too" format.]]
'''KFDA-DT2''' (branded as '''"NewsChannel 10 Too"''') is the second [[digital subchannel]] of KFDA-TV, which is programmed as an [[Independent station (North America)|independent station]]. It broadcasts in [[16:9]] [[widescreen]] [[standard-definition television|standard definition]] on channel 10.2.

KFDA launched a digital subchannel on virtual channel 10.2 on September 16, 2002, to serve as a simulcast of low-power Telemundo affiliate [[KTMO-LP]] (channel 36, now defunct). On September 21, 2009, KFDA-DT2 converted into a simulcast of sister independent station KZBZ-LP (channel 46, later [[KTXC-LP]]) – which changed its branding to "NewsChannel 10 Too" as a brand extension to its parent outlet – in order to relay the [[analog television|analog]] [[low-power broadcasting|low-power]] station's programming throughout the entire Amarillo market. KFDA-DT2 operates as an independent station due to the lack of standalone commercial stations in the market to support a primary-feed independent outlet. Along with syndicated programs acquired exclusively for KFDA-DT2 and second runs of syndicated shows seen on KFDA's main feed (consisting mainly of [[talk show]]s, [[game show]]s, drama series and [[news magazine|newsmagazines]]), "NewsChannel 10 Too" also simulcasts select local newscasts seen on KFDA 10.1. After Drewry had the KTXC-LP license cancelled by the FCC on July 23, 2015, the "NewsChannel 10 Too" format became an exclusive subchannel-only transmission on virtual channel 10.2.

===KFDA-DT3===
{{Main|KEYU (TV)}}
As the station's [[broadcast range|broadcasting radius]] (which covers a {{convert|55.2|mi|km|adj=mid|-wide|disp=sqbr}} area, compared to KFDA's {{convert|75.2|mi|km|adj=mid|-wide|disp=sqbr}} signal contour) does not reach the entire Amarillo market despite its full-power status, KFDA carries a simulcast of the [[Ion Television]] subchannel of sister station [[KEYU (TV)|KEYU]] on channel 10.3 in order to relay channel 31's programming to portions of the Texas Panhandle that do not receive KEYU's signal adequately or at all. The KEYU simulcast currently transmits in 16:9 widescreen standard definition.

KFDA first launched a digital subchannel on virtual channel 10.3 on September 1, 2002, to serve as a simulcast of low-power [[UPN]] affiliate KZBZ-LP. The launch occurred two weeks prior to KZBZ assuming the UPN affiliation rights from [[KCPN-LD|KCPN-LP]] (channel 33).<ref>{{cite news|title=Channel Surfer: Ex-area resident to compete in 'Survivor'|url=http://amarillo.com/stories/081602/ent_channel.shtml|author=Chip Chandler|newspaper=Amarillo Globe-News|publisher=Morris Communications|date=August 16, 2002|access-date=August 21, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Cable channel shuffle heralds area's HDTV era|url=http://amarillo.com/stories/091502/new_cablechannel.shtml|author=Thomas Doyle|newspaper=Amarillo Globe-News|publisher=Morris Communications|date=September 15, 2002|access-date=August 21, 2017}}</ref> On September 21, 2009, in coincidence with the transfer of the KZBZ simulcast to KFDA-DT2, KTMO moved its full-power simulcast to virtual channel 10.3; the following year, the simulcast switched to that of the full-power KEYU, following Drewry's acquisition of that station from Equity Media Holdings.

===KFDA-DT4===
'''KFDA-DT4''' (branded as '''"MeTV Amarillo"''') is the [[MeTV]]-affiliated second digital subchannel of KFDA-TV, broadcasting in widescreen standard definition on channel 10.4. On April 23, 2007, under an agreement between the Spanish-primary bilingual network and Drewry Communications, KFDA-TV launched a digital subchannel on virtual channel 10.4 to serve as a charter affiliate of [[LATV]].<ref>{{cite web|title=LATV adds more broadcast markets as it heads to national launch|url=http://hispanicad.com/blog/news-article/had/television/latv-adds-more-broadcast-markets-it-heads-national-launch|website=HispanicAd|publisher=Hispanic Media Sales, Inc.|date=March 9, 2007|access-date=August 6, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=LATV Heads East|url=https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/latv-heads-east-82261|author=Michael Malone|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable|publisher=Reed Business Information|date=May 7, 2007|access-date=August 6, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=LATV Finds New Affiliates|url=http://hispanicad.com/blog/news-article/had/television/latv-adds-more-broadcast-markets-it-heads-national-launch|author=Michael Malone|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable|publisher=Reed Business Information|date=May 7, 2007|access-date=August 6, 2018}}</ref>

On July 30, 2011, KFDA-DT4 converted into a 24-hour news format under the brand "NewsChannel 10 24/7," which carried simulcasts of KFDA's morning, midday and evening newscasts and, outside of live newscasts, aired pre-recorded weather updates in 15-minute intervals as well as loops of [[weather radar]] and [[weather satellite|satellite imagery]], near-real-time video from one of the station's SkyCams, current conditions, and local and regional forecasts (accompanied by a [[news ticker|ticker]] showing current conditions and short-term weather forecasts for cities within the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles and Eastern New Mexico). The service also carried a three-hour block of [[Regulations on children's television programming in the United States|educational programming]] aimed at older children and teenagers on Saturday afternoons to fulfill subchannel compliance guidelines included in the [[Children's Television Act]].<ref>{{cite news|title=NewsChannel 10 launches source for local 24/7 news and weather|url=http://www.newschannel10.com/story/24605755/newschannel-10-launches-source-for-local-247-news-and-weather|website=KFDA-TV|publisher=[[Drewry Communications]]|date=January 31, 2014}}</ref> (The LATV service moved to sister station KEYU's second digital subchannel.) On June 4, 2018, KFDA-DT4 became an affiliate of MeTV; as a result of the subchannel switching to the classic television network, the "NewsChannel 10 24/7" stream was moved exclusively to the station's website.<ref>{{cite news|title=Making moves in our channel line-ups: Bringing you more on-air and online|url=http://www.newschannel10.com/story/38301139/making-moves-in-our-channel-line-ups-bringing-you-more-on-air-and-online|website=KFDA-TV|publisher=Raycom Media|date=June 3, 2018|access-date=August 6, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Our Perspective on offering valuable content with MeTV and 24/7|url=http://www.newschannel10.com/story/38354346/our-perspective-on-offering-valuable-content-with-metv-and-247|website=KFDA-TV|publisher=Raycom Media|date=June 5, 2018|access-date=August 6, 2018}}</ref>


==Programming==
==Programming==
KFDA-TV clears the entire CBS network schedule; however, the station carries some of the network's programs out of pattern. Due to its half-hour Saturday morning newscast, the ''[[CBS Dream Team]]'' block airs a half-hour later than on most CBS affiliates, and also airs over two days (the first hours of the block air on Saturdays and the remaining half-hour airs on Sunday mornings).
KFDA-TV clears the entire CBS network schedule, though the third hour of the Saturday ''[[CBS Weekend]]'' educational block airs before ''[[CBS Sunday Morning]]'' instead due to the station's Saturday morning airing of ''Your Home Town View'', an hour-long [[brokered programming|brokered]] local [[real estate]] program produced by the station's advertising department in association with [[Keller Williams]] Realty Amarillo. The show also airs in several timeslots on KFDA-DT2 throughout the week.

===Syndicated programming===
Syndicated programs broadcast on KFDA-TV {{as of|September 2018|lc=y}} include ''[[Dr. Phil (talk show)|Dr. Phil]]'', ''[[Inside Edition]]'', and ''[[Jeopardy!]]''; all of which are distributed by corporate cousin [[CBS Media Ventures]]. (Amarillo is one of a small number of U.S. television markets in which ''Jeopardy!'' and ''[[Wheel of Fortune (American game show)|Wheel of Fortune]]'' are carried on separate stations: ''Wheel'' airs on ABC affiliate KVII-TV, which has carried the program locally since September 1984). Syndicated programs broadcast by KFDA-DT2 include ''[[Maury (talk show)|Maury]]'', ''[[Family Feud]]'', ''[[The Wendy Williams Show]]'', ''[[Access Hollywood]]'' and ''[[TMZ on TV]]''.<ref name="titantv-kfda">{{cite web|title=TitanTV Programming Guide -- What's on TV, Movies, Reality Shows and Local News: KFDA-TV schedule|url=http://kfda.titantv.com/apg/ttv.aspx|website=TitanTV|publisher=Broadcast Interactive Media, LLC|access-date=August 3, 2018}}</ref>


===''Chicago Hope'' controversy===
===''Chicago Hope'' controversy===
On October 14, 1999, KFDA preempted an episode of ''[[Chicago Hope]]'' in which [[Mark Harmon]]'s character Jack McNeil says the word "[[shit]]" while amputating a boy's leg and replaced the show with local programming. The station's then vice president and general manager Mike Lee decided for the station to not to air the episode due to the curse word and later apologized to viewers for the network's poor choice, but not for the local decision to preempt.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}
On October 14, 1999, KFDA preempted an episode of ''[[Chicago Hope]]'' in which [[Mark Harmon]]'s character Jack McNeil says the word "[[shit]]" while amputating a boy's leg and replaced the show with local programming. The station's then-vice president and general manager Mike Lee decided that the station would not air the episode due to the curse word and later apologized to viewers for the network's poor choice, but not for the local decision to preempt.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}


===News operation===
===News operation===
{{Expand section|further details on the history of KFDA-TV's news operation|date=August 2018}}
{{Expand section|further details on the history of KFDA-TV's news operation|date=August 2018}}
{{As of|September 2017}}, KFDA-TV currently broadcasts 24½ hours of locally produced newscasts each week (with 4½ hours each weekday and one hour each on Saturdays and Sundays). In addition, KFDA-DT2 broadcasts 12½ hours of locally produced newscasts each week: a morning newscast consisting of a combined second-hour simulcast and half-hour exclusive extension of the ''NewsChannel 10 Early Show'', and a simulcast of the hour-long 6:00&nbsp;p.m. newscast carried on the station's main feed. These air only on weekdays. The station may also simulcast long-form severe weather coverage on "NewsChannel 10 Too" in the event that a [[tornado warning]] is issued for any county within the [[Texas Panhandle|Texas]] and [[Oklahoma Panhandle]]s as well as [[Eastern New Mexico]].
{{As of|September 2017}}, KFDA-TV currently broadcasts {{frac|24|1|2}} hours of locally produced newscasts each week (with {{frac|4|1|2}} hours each weekday and one hour each on Saturdays and Sundays). In addition, KFDA-DT2 broadcasts {{frac|12|1|2}} hours of locally produced newscasts each week: a morning newscast consisting of a combined second-hour simulcast and half-hour exclusive extension of the ''NewsChannel 10 Early Show'', and a simulcast of the hour-long 6&nbsp;p.m. newscast carried on the station's main feed. These air only on weekdays. The station may also simulcast long-form severe weather coverage on "NewsChannel 10 Too" in the event that a [[tornado warning]] is issued for any county within the [[Texas Panhandle|Texas]] and [[Oklahoma Panhandle]]s as well as [[Eastern New Mexico]].


On February 23, 2011, KFDA became the first television station in the Amarillo market to upgrade production and transmission of its local newscasts to high definition.<ref name=b&c-kfdahdnews/>
On February 23, 2011, KFDA became the first television station in the Amarillo market to upgrade production and transmission of its local newscasts to high definition.<ref name=b&c-kfdahdnews/>


===Other local programming===
===Other local programming===
Channel 10 served as the Amarillo market's "Love Network" affiliate for the [[Muscular Dystrophy Association]]'s ''[[Jerry Lewis]] [[MDA Labor Day Telethon]]'' for 39 years from September 1973 until September 2012. Because of the station's commitments to run CBS' entertainment and sports programming, KFDA usually aired the telethon on a three-hour tape delay following its 10:00&nbsp;p.m. newscast on the Sunday preceding [[Labor Day]]. For the same reason, when the telethon was reduced to a six-hour prime time telecast on the Sunday before Labor Day in September 2011, the broadcast was transferred over to KFDA-DT2 to allow the main feed to fulfill its CBS programming commitments. (The broadcast—by then reduced to a two-hour special—moved to ABC in September 2013, airing thereafter by association on KVII-TV until the final telecast of the retitled ''MDA Show of Strength'' in August 2014.<ref>{{cite news|title='MDA' Telethon Heads to Primetime on ABC|url=https://variety.com/2013/tv/news/mda-telethon-heads-to-primetime-on-abc-1200497737/|periodical=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]|date=June 17, 2013}}</ref>)
Channel 10 served as the Amarillo market's "Love Network" affiliate for the [[Muscular Dystrophy Association]]'s ''[[Jerry Lewis]] [[MDA Labor Day Telethon]]'' for 39 years from 1973 to 2012. Because of the station's commitments to run CBS' entertainment and sports programming, KFDA usually aired the telethon on a three-hour tape delay following its 10&nbsp;p.m. newscast on the Sunday preceding [[Labor Day]]. For the same reason, when the telethon was reduced to a six-hour prime time telecast on the Sunday before Labor Day in September 2011, the broadcast was transferred over to KFDA-DT2 to allow the main feed to fulfill its CBS programming commitments. (The broadcast—by then reduced to a two-hour special—moved to ABC in September 2013, airing thereafter by association on KVII-TV until the final telecast of the retitled ''MDA Show of Strength'' in August 2014.<ref>{{cite news |title='MDA' Telethon Heads to Primetime on ABC |url=https://variety.com/2013/tv/news/mda-telethon-heads-to-primetime-on-abc-1200497737/ |periodical=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |date=June 17, 2013}}</ref>)


On September 10, 2018, the station began producing a local program called ''NewsChannel 10's 2nd Cup'', which airs weekdays at 9:00&nbsp;a.m.
On September 10, 2018, the station began producing a local program called ''NewsChannel 10's 2nd Cup'', which airs weekdays at 9&nbsp;a.m.


In 2020, KFDA-DT2 began producing a local morning talk show known as ''The Chat'', which partners with radio station [[KGNC (AM)|KGNC]] 710 AM which airs weekday mornings at 7:00&nbsp;a.m. and also reruns weekday afternoons at 3:00&nbsp;p.m.
In 2020, KFDA-DT2 began producing a local morning talk show known as ''The Chat'', which partners with radio station [[KGNC (AM)|KGNC]] 710 AM which airs weekdays at 7&nbsp;a.m.


====Notable former on-air staff====
====Notable former on-air staff====
Line 109: Line 89:
The station's digital signal is [[Multiplex (TV)|multiplexed]]:
The station's digital signal is [[Multiplex (TV)|multiplexed]]:
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+Subchannels of KFDA-TV<ref>{{cite web |title=RabbitEars TV Query for KFDA |url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KFDA#station |website=[[RabbitEars]] |access-date=August 5, 2017}}</ref>
! [[Digital subchannel#United States|Channel]]
! scope = "col" | [[Digital subchannel#United States|Channel]]
! [[Display resolution|Video]]
! scope = "col" | [[Display resolution|Res.]]
! [[Aspect ratio (image)|Aspect]]
! scope = "col" | [[Aspect ratio (image)|Aspect]]
! Short name
! scope = "col" | Short name
! Programming<ref>{{cite web|title=RabbitEars TV Query for KFDA|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KFDA#station|website=[[RabbitEars]]|access-date=August 5, 2017}}</ref>
! scope = "col" | Programming
|-
|-
! scope = "row" | 10.1
| 10.1 || [[1080i]] || rowspan="6"|[[16:9]] || KFDA-HD || Main KFDA-TV programming / [[CBS]]
| [[1080i]] || rowspan="6" |[[16:9]] || KFDA-HD || Main KFDA-TV programming / [[CBS]]
|-
|-
| 10.2 || rowspan="5"|[[480i]] || KZBZ || [[Independent station (North America)|NewsChannel 10 Too]]
! scope = "row" | 10.2
| rowspan="5" |[[480i]] || KZBZ || [[Independent station|NewsChannel 10 Too]]
|- style="background-color: #E6FFF7;"
! scope = "row" | [[KEYU (TV)|10.3]]
| ION || [[Ion Television]] ([[KEYU (TV)|KEYU-DT4]])
|-
|-
! scope = "row" | 10.4
| [[KEYU (TV)|10.3]] || ION || Simulcast of [[KEYU (TV)|KEYU-DT4]] / [[Ion Television]]
| MeTV || [[MeTV]]
|-
|-
| 10.4 || MeTV || [[MeTV]]
! scope = "row" | 10.5
| COZI || [[Cozi TV]]
|-
| 10.5 || COZI || [[Cozi TV]]
|-
| 10.6 || ThisTV || [[This TV]]
|-
|-
! scope = "row" | 10.6
| Oxygen || [[Oxygen (TV channel)|Oxygen]]
|}
|}


===Analog-to-digital conversion===
===Analog-to-digital conversion===
KFDA began transmitting a [[digital television]] signal on [[Ultra high frequency|UHF]] channel 39 on September 1, 2002. It became the first television station in Amarillo to begin digital broadcasting operations upon sign-on of the digital channel as well as the first station in the market to simulcast programming content in high definition.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://amarillo.com/stories/091502/new_cablechannel.shtml | title=Cable channel shuffle heralds area's HDTV era | publisher=Amarillo Globe-News | date=September 15, 2002 }}</ref>
KFDA began transmitting a [[digital television]] signal on [[UHF]] channel 39 on September 1, 2002. It became the first television station in Amarillo to begin digital broadcasting operations upon sign-on of the digital channel as well as the first station in the market to simulcast programming content in high definition.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://amarillo.com/stories/091502/new_cablechannel.shtml |title=Cable channel shuffle heralds area's HDTV era |publisher=Amarillo Globe-News |date=September 15, 2002}}</ref>


The station shut down its analog signal, over VHF channel 10, on June 12, 2009, the official date in which full-power television stations in the United States [[Digital television transition in the United States|transitioned from analog to digital television]] under federal mandate.<ref>{{cite news|title=Start here for a DTV Basic Overview for NewsChannel 10's Viewing area|url=http://www.newschannel10.com/story/9311426/start-here-for-a-dtv-basic-overview-for-newschannel-10s-viewing-area|website=KFDA-TV|publisher=[[Drewry Communications]]|date=January 30, 2009|access-date=August 3, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=What DTV Delay Means for You|url=http://www.newschannel10.com/Global/story.asp?S=9797488|website=KFDA-TV|publisher=Drewry Communications|date=January 30, 2009}}</ref><ref name="Analog to Digital">{{cite web|title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and the Second Rounds|url=https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-06-1082A2.pdf|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|access-date=June 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829004251/http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf|archive-date=August 29, 2013}}</ref> The station's digital signal moved to its pre-transition VHF channel 10.
The station shut down its analog signal, over VHF channel 10, on June 12, 2009, the official date on which full-power television stations in the United States [[Digital television transition in the United States|transitioned from analog to digital television]] under federal mandate.<ref>{{cite news |title=Start here for a DTV Basic Overview for NewsChannel 10's Viewing area |url=http://www.newschannel10.com/story/9311426/start-here-for-a-dtv-basic-overview-for-newschannel-10s-viewing-area |website=KFDA-TV |publisher=[[Drewry Communications]] |date=January 30, 2009 |access-date=August 3, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=What DTV Delay Means for You |url=http://www.newschannel10.com/Global/story.asp?S=9797488 |website=KFDA-TV |publisher=Drewry Communications |date=January 30, 2009}}</ref><ref name="Analog to Digital">{{cite web |title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and the Second Rounds |url=https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]] |access-date=June 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829004251/http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |archive-date=August 29, 2013}}</ref> The station's digital signal moved to its pre-transition VHF channel 10.


===Translators===
===Translators===
{{update section|inline|date=March 2021}}
{{update section|inline|date=March 2021}}
In addition to maintaining [[cable television|cable]] carriage within this area, KFDA-TV covers a large portion of the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles, northeastern [[New Mexico]] and far southwestern [[Kansas]] through a network of 19 UHF [[Broadcast relay station#Broadcast translators|translators]] that distribute its programming beyond the {{convert|75.2|mi|km|adj=mid|-wide}} range corridor of its broadcast signal (all translators transmit on virtual channel 10):
In addition to maintaining [[cable television|cable]] carriage within this area, KFDA-TV covers a large portion of the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles, northeastern [[New Mexico]] and far southwestern [[Kansas]] through a network of [[Broadcast relay station#Broadcast translators|translators]] that distribute its programming beyond the {{convert|75.2|mi|km|adj=mid|-wide}} range corridor of its broadcast signal (all translators transmit on virtual channel 10):
* '''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|55391|3=K18MD-D}}''' [[Childress, TX]]
{{Hidden begin
* '''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|17265|3=K33PX-D}}''' [[Clarendon, TX]]
|titlestyle = background:#ccccff;
* '''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|51469|3=KZBZ-CD}}''' [[Clovis, NM]]
|title = List of KFDA-TV translators
* '''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|25698|3=K32GD-D}}''' [[Guymon, OK]]
}}
* '''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|8719|3=K34NQ-D}}''' [[Memphis, TX]]
{| class="wikitable" style="white-space: nowrap; font-size: 80%; height: 1em"
* '''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|8724|3=K32EH-D}}''' Memphis, TX
! Station
* '''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|68703|3=K26OJ-D}}''' [[Tucumcari, NM]]
! [[City of license]]
* '''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|51472|3=K21NW-D}}''' [[Tulia, TX]]
! Channels<br>''(Digital)''
* '''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|2835|3=K26JR-D}}''' [[Turkey, TX]]
! Licensee
! First air date<br>{{specify|date=July 2017}}
! Former<br>callsigns
! Former<br>channel<br>number(s)
! ERP<br>''(Digital)''
! HAAT<br>''(Digital)''
! Facility ID
! Transmitter<br>coordinates
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"
| '''K38KZ-D'''
| [[Bovina, Texas|Bovina, TX]]
| 38 (UHF)
| Panhandle Telecasting, LLC
| {{Start date and age|1998|p=y}}
| K59GG (1998–2003)<br>K63GN (2003–2009)
| '''Analog:'''<br>59 (UHF, 1998–2010);<br>63 (UHF, 2003–2009)
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"
| '''K35CE-D'''
| [[Canadian, Texas|Canadian, TX]]
| 35 (UHF)
| C. L. & O. Translator System, Inc.
| {{Start date and age|1988|p=y}}
| K35CE (1988–2010)
| N/A
| 0.474&nbsp;kW
| {{convert|165|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| 8009
| {{coord|36|3|59|N|100|20|59|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K35CE-D}}
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"
| '''K18MD-D'''
| [[Childress, Texas|Childress, TX]]
| 18 (UHF)
| Red River Valley Translator TV Assn.
| {{Start date and age|1990|p=y}}
| K74CH (?–1990)<br>K50CQ (1990–2010)<br>K50CQ-D (2010–2019)
| '''Analog:'''<br>74 (UHF, ?–1990)<br>50 (UHF, 1990–2010)<br>'''Digital:'''<br>50 (UHF, 2010–2019)
| 0.25&nbsp;kW
| {{convert|159|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| 55391
| {{coord|34|26|29.5|N|100|14|16.9|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K18MD-D}}
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"
| '''K33PX-D'''
| [[Clarendon, Texas|Clarendon, TX]]
| 33 (UHF)
| Donley County UHF TV, Inc.
| {{Start date and age|1981|p=y}}
| K74CJ (?-1987)<br>K51CB (1987–2011)<br>K51CB-D (2011-2019)
| '''Analog:'''<br>74 (UHF, ?-1987)<br>51 (UHF, 1987-2011)<br>'''Digital:'''<br>51 (UHF, 2011-2019)
| 0.51&nbsp;kW
| {{convert|149|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| 17265
| {{coord|34|54|11|N|100|55|49|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K33PX-D}}
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"
| '''K46BY-D'''
| [[Clayton, New Mexico|Clayton, NM]]
| 46 (UHF)
| Sierra Grande TV Cooperative, Inc.
| {{Start date and age|1987|p=y}}
| K46BY (1987–2010)
| N/A
| 0.31&nbsp;kW
| {{convert|616|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| 60318
| {{coord|36|42|19|N|103|52|39.8|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K46BY-D}}
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"
| '''KZBZ-CD'''
| [[Clovis, New Mexico|Clovis, NM]]
| 26 (UHF)
| Gray Television Licensee, LLC
| {{Start date and age|1988|p=y}}
| K26CD (1988–2015)<br>K26CD-D (2015)
| '''Analog:'''<br>26 (UHF, 1988–2015)
| 4.59&nbsp;kW
| {{convert|126|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| 51469
| {{coord|34|26|25|N|103|12|39|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K29HB-D}}
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"
| '''K29HB-D'''
| Clovis, NM
| 29 (UHF)
| Panhandle Telecasting, LLC
| {{Start date and age|2006|p=y}}
| K29HB (2006–2009)
| N/A
| 1.7&nbsp;kW
| {{convert|124.9|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| 130253
| {{coord|34|26|25|N|103|12|39|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K29HB-D}}
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"
| '''K51BC'''
| [[Follett, Texas|Follett, TX]]
| 51 (UHF)
| C. L. & O. Translator System, Inc.
| {{Start date and age|1987|p=y}}
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
| N/A
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"
| '''K44CC-D'''
| [[Gruver, Texas|Gruver, TX]]
| 44 (UHF)
| Hansford County Translator System
| {{Start date and age|1987|p=y}}
| K44CC (1987–2010)
| N/A
| 0.42&nbsp;kW
| {{convert|132|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| 25985
| {{coord|36|14|44|N|101|22|58|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K44CC-D}}
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"
| '''K32GD-D'''
| [[Guymon, Oklahoma|Guymon, OK]]
| 32 (UHF)
| Guymon TV Translator, Inc.
| {{Start date and age|1998|p=y}}
| K59GF (1998–2010)
| '''Analog:'''<br>59 (UHF; 1998–2012)
| 2.46&nbsp;kW
| {{convert|156|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| 25698
| {{coord|36|40|39|N|101|27|54|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K32GD-D}}
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"
| '''K34NQ-D'''
| [[Memphis, Texas|Memphis, TX]]
| 34 (UHF)
| Caprock Translator System, Inc.
| {{Start date and age|1983|p=y}}
| K80AU (?–1983)<br>K42AL (1983–2010)<br>K42AL-D (2010–2019)
| '''Analog:'''<br>80 (UHF, ?–1983)<br>42 (UHF, 1983–2010)<br>'''Digital:'''<br>42 (UHF, 2010–2019)
| 0.46&nbsp;kW
| {{convert|183|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| 8719
| {{coord|34|48|18|N|100|36|13|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K34NQ-D}}
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"
| '''K32EH-D'''
| Memphis, TX
| 32 (UHF)
| Caprock Translator System, Inc.
| {{Start date and age|1981|p=y}}
| K32EH (1995–2010)
| N/A
| 0.46&nbsp;kW
| {{convert|183|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| 8724
| {{coord|34|48|18|N|100|36|13|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K32EH-D}}
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"
| '''K36MA-D'''
| [[Perryton, Texas|Perryton, TX]]
| 36 (UHF)
| C. L. & O. Translator System, Inc.
| {{Start date and age|2012|p=y}}
| N/A
| N/A
| 0.25&nbsp;kW
| {{convert|123|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| 8070
| {{coord|36|7|4|N|100|48|9|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K36MA-D}}
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"
| '''K26OJ-D'''
| [[Tucumcari, New Mexico|Tucumcari, NM]]
| 26 (UHF)
| UHF TV Association
| {{Start date and age|1989|p=y}}
| K46BU (1989–2012)<br>K46BU-D (2012–2021)
| '''Analog:'''<br>46 (UHF, 1989–2012)<br>'''Digital:'''<br>46 (UHF, 2012–2021)
| 0.61&nbsp;kW
| {{convert|196|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| 68703
| {{coord|35|8|12.2|N|103|41|58.8|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K26OJ-D}}
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"
| '''K21NW-D'''
| [[Tulia, Texas|Tulia, TX]]
| 21 (UHF)
| Panhandle Telecasting LP
| {{Start date and age|1987|p=y}}
| K41CA (1987–2011)<br>K41CA-D (2011–2019)
| '''Analog:'''<br>41 (UHF, 1989–2011)<br>'''Digital:'''<br>41 (UHF, 2011–2019)
| 0.464&nbsp;kW
| {{convert|78|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| 51472
| {{coord|34|32|12|N|101|44|27|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K21NW-D}}
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"
| '''K26JR-D'''
| [[Turkey, Texas|Turkey, TX]]
| 36 (UHF)
| Arnold Cruze TR/AS Valley TV
| {{Start date and age|1981|p=y}}
| K58DF (1988–2010)
| '''Analog:'''<br>58 (UHF; 1988–2010)
| 0.47&nbsp;kW
| {{convert|141|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| 2835
| {{coord|34|24|1.2|N|101|7|12.5|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K26JR-D}}
|}
{{hidden end}}


==See also==
==See also==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Kfda-Tv}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kfda-Tv}}
[[Category:CBS network affiliates]]
[[Category:1953 establishments in Texas]]
[[Category:CBS affiliates]]
[[Category:Cozi TV affiliates]]
[[Category:Gray Television]]
[[Category:Ion Television affiliates]]
[[Category:Ion Television affiliates]]
[[Category:MeTV affiliates]]
[[Category:MeTV affiliates]]
[[Category:Cozi TV affiliates]]
[[Category:This TV affiliates]]
[[Category:Gray Television]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1953]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1953]]
[[Category:Television stations in Amarillo, Texas|FDA-TV]]
[[Category:Television stations in Amarillo, Texas|FDA-TV]]
[[Category:1953 establishments in Texas]]
[[Category:This TV affiliates]]

Latest revision as of 09:45, 26 May 2024

KFDA-TV


Channels
Branding
  • NewsChannel 10
  • NewsChannel 10 Too (on DT2)
  • Telemundo Amarillo (on DT3)
  • MeTV Amarillo (on DT4)
Programming
Affiliations
Ownership
Owner
KEYU
History
First air date
April 4, 1953 (71 years ago) (1953-04-04)
Former channel number(s)
  • Analog: 10 (VHF, 1953–2009)
  • Digital: 9 (VHF, 2001–2009)
ABC (secondary, 1953–1957)
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID51466
ERP62 kW
HAAT466 m (1,529 ft)
Transmitter coordinates35°17′34″N 101°50′44″W / 35.29278°N 101.84556°W / 35.29278; -101.84556
Translator(s)see § Subchannels
Links
Public license information
Websitewww.newschannel10.com

KFDA-TV (channel 10) is a television station in Amarillo, Texas, United States, affiliated with CBS. It is owned by Gray Television alongside Borger-licensed Telemundo affiliate KEYU (channel 31). The two stations share studios on Broadway Drive (just south of West Cherry Avenue) in northern Amarillo, where KFDA's transmitter is also located.

History[edit]

Early history[edit]

On July 3, 1952, the Amarillo Broadcasting Company – a consortium led by radio station owners Wendell Mayes, oil, gas and publishing interest holder C. C. Woodson, Charles B. Jordan (vice president and assistant general manager of the Texas State Network), and Gene L. Cagle (Texas State Network president and general manager) – filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to obtain a license and construction permit to operate a commercial television station on VHF channel 10.[2] The FCC awarded the license and permit for channel 10 to the Amarillo Broadcasting Company on October 8, 1952; the group subsequently requested and received approval to assign KFDA-TV as the television station's call letters, using the base callsign that had been used by its existing radio station on KFDA (1440 AM, now KPUR) since it signed on in March 1939.[3][4]

The station first signed on the air on April 4, 1953; it was the second television station to sign on in the Amarillo market, debuting two weeks after NBC affiliate KGNC-TV (channel 4, now KAMR-TV) launched as the market's first television station on March 18. Channel 10 has been an CBS television affiliate since its debut; however, it also initially carried programming from ABC, inheriting those rights through KFDA radio's longtime relationship with the television network's progenitor ABC Radio, which had been affiliated with that station since 1943 (as the post-NBC-split Blue Network).[5][6]

In January 1954, the Texas State Network (TSN) – a broadcasting consortium owned by Sid W. Richardson (philanthropist and owner of, among other petroleum firms in the state, Fort Worth-based Sid W. Richardson Inc. and Richardson and Bass Oil Producers), media executive Gene L. Cagle, mineral rights firm owner R. K. Hanger, company president Charles B. Jordan and D. C. Homburg – acquired a 75% controlling stake in KFDA-AM-TV from the original stockholders for $525,000, with Jordan retaining his existing 25% interest.[6][7] KFDA disaffiliated from ABC shortly before KVII-TV (channel 7) signed on as an affiliate of that network on December 21, 1957, with the station remaining an exclusive CBS affiliate. In January 1958, Jordan divested his stake in KFDA-TV to TSN/Amarillo Broadcasting in exchange for full ownership of KFDA radio through his firm, the Lone Star Broadcasting Company. Despite this separation of ownership, the KFDA television and radio stations continued to share a base call sign until 1966, when the radio station changed its call letters to KPUR, in order to comply with a since-repealed FCC rule that prohibited separately owned television and radio stations that were based in the same media market from sharing the same call letters.[8][9][10]

In an effort to expand its viewing area, KFDA-TV launched a network of UHF translators to serve areas of the Texas Panhandle that were not covered by its main signal. KFDA's parent companies during the timeframe also acquired two standalone network affiliates during the mid-1960s for conversion into satellite stations to reach areas where its primary signal was impaired by some of the rugged terrain within the Panhandle. The station was all but unviewable in Clovis, Portales and surrounding areas of northeastern New Mexico as well as portions of the far eastern Texas Panhandle. Many viewers in those areas received CBS programming either via KGGM-TV (now KRQE-TV) in Albuquerque or KWTV in Oklahoma City. On September 11, 1963, the Texas State Network purchased primary CBS and secondary ABC affiliate KICA-TV (channel 12) in Clovis from Marshall Enterprises (owned by John H. Marshall Sr., John H. Marshall Jr., Lena V. Marshall and Carolyn A. Marshall) for $350,000; the sale was approved on January 22, 1964. TSN subsequently changed the Clovis station's call letters to KFDW-TV to match its new parent station.[11][12][13][14]

The owner of KFDA-TV and its satellites changed its name from the Texas State Network to the Bass Broadcasting Company – by then, led by investor/philanthropist Perry R. Bass – in April 1965 (following TSN's sale of KFJZ-AM-FM in Fort Worth to a company that subsequently took on the Texas State Network name).[15][16][17] The following year, in February 1966, the Bass family acquired a majority stake in the company from the Sid W. Richardson Foundation (a move that followed concerns from Congress and the Treasury Department regarding nonprofit foundations' business interests) and Gene Cagle (who gave up his interest in Bass in exchange for acquiring KRIO in McAllen from the company) for nearly $2.3 million.[18] On July 1 of that year, Bass Broadcasting acquired CBS affiliate KSWB (channel 8) in Elk City, Oklahoma, from Southwest Broadcasting Company (owned by Lonnie J. Preston and Alice H. Preston) for $275,000, including a non-compete agreement for Southwest Broadcasting worth $50,000. The sale, along with a concurrent renewal request for the KSWB license and proposed upgrades to its transmitter facility, received FCC approval on November 17, 1965. In September 1966, KSWB was converted into a KFDA satellite under the call letters KFDO-TV (which also had its city of license relocated to the nearby city of Sayre), to relay its programming into portions of western Oklahoma who could not adequately receive CBS programming from KWTV.[19][20][21][22][23]

The Bass family decided to exit broadcasting in the mid-1970s to focus on their oil and gas exploration interests.[24] In October 1975, Bass Broadcasting Co. sold KFDO-TV to Amarillo-based Marsh Media Ltd. – owned by entrepreneur and philanthropist Stanley Marsh 3, Tom F. Marsh, Michael C. Marsh and Estelle Marsh Wattlington – for $300,000; Marsh converted KFDO into a satellite station of KVII (under the new calls KVIJ-TV), and along with it, changing the satellite's affiliation from CBS to ABC, serving areas where reception of KOCO-TV in Oklahoma City was not sufficient. (KVIJ ceased operations on December 2, 1992, citing the fact that the majority of ABC's viewership in west-central Oklahoma came via either reception of KOCO-TV or KSWO-TV in Lawton on local cable providers in that area.)[25][26][27][28]

Transfer to Drewry[edit]

In May 1976, KFDA-TV was sold to the Panhandle Telecasting Company (originally known as Amarillo Telecasters, and under licensee to Midessa Television Inc.) – a partnership of Ray Herndon, majority owner of KMID-TV in Midland, and R.H. Drewry, owner of KSWO-TV in Lawton, Oklahoma – for $2.8 million; the sale was received FCC approval 3½ months later on August 20. The sale of KFDA did not include KFDW-TV, which was instead included in a sale of Bass's remaining stations to Mel Wheeler, Inc. a few months later in a $2.2-million deal. (After subsequent sales, KFDW would become KMCC-TV, a satellite of Lubbock ABC affiliate KAMC in 1979, and KVIH-TV, a satellite of KVII, in 1986; KVIH remains a KVII satellite to this day.)[29][30] In October 1983, Drewry (through his Lawton Cablevision Inc. subsidiary) acquired majority control of KFDA for $3 million; the transaction received FCC approval on February 27, 1984.[29][24][31][32]

On July 1, 2008, Drewry Communications Group announced its intention to sell its eleven television stations (as well as sister radio property KTXC in Lamesa) to the Dallas-based London Broadcasting Company—a company founded by Terry E. London, former CEO of Gaylord Entertainment, the previous year to acquire broadcast properties in small to mid-sized markets within Texas, beginning operations with the February 2008 purchase of CBS affiliate KYTX in Tyler—for $115 million. While the deal received approval by the FCC, London Broadcasting filed a notice of non-consummation to the FCC in January 2009, after company management decided to terminate the deal due to market uncertainties resulting from the Great Recession.[33][34][35][36]

On February 23, 2011, KFDA became the first television station in the Amarillo market (and the West Texas region as a whole) to carry syndicated programming and advertisements inserted during local commercial breaks (including station and network promos) in high definition. The station upgraded its master control facilities to allow content not directly fed by CBS or produced in-house to be transmitted in HD.[37]

Raycom ownership and sale to Gray[edit]

On August 10, 2015, Montgomery, Alabama–based Raycom Media announced that it would purchase Drewry Communications' eight television and two radio stations (which by then included Amarillo radio station KEYU-FM (102.9, now KVWE) for $160 million. The sale was completed on December 1; as result of the Raycom purchase, KFDA gained a new sister station in NBC affiliate KCBD in the adjacent Lubbock market (which Raycom has owned since it acquired Greenville, South Carolina–based Liberty Corporation's television broadcasting unit in 2006.).[38][39][40][41]

On June 25, 2018, Atlanta-based Gray Television announced it had reached an agreement with Raycom to merge their respective broadcasting assets (consisting of Raycom's 63 existing owned-and/or-operated television stations, including KFDA-TV and KEYU as well as Lubbock sister station KCBD, and Gray's 93 television stations) under the former's corporate umbrella. The cash-and-stock merger transaction valued at $3.6 billion – in which Gray shareholders would acquire preferred stock currently held by Raycom – resulted in KFDA/KEYU gaining a new sister station in the Odessa–Midland market as Gray retained ownership of fellow CBS affiliate KOSA-TV in exchange for selling NBC affiliate KWES-TV (which was sold to Tegna Inc., along with CBS affiliate WTOL in Toledo, Ohio, to comply with FCC ownership rules prohibiting common ownership of two of the four highest-rated stations in a single market).[42][43][44][45] The sale was approved on December 20,[46] and was completed on January 2, 2019.[47][48]

Programming[edit]

KFDA-TV clears the entire CBS network schedule, though the third hour of the Saturday CBS Weekend educational block airs before CBS Sunday Morning instead due to the station's Saturday morning airing of Your Home Town View, an hour-long brokered local real estate program produced by the station's advertising department in association with Keller Williams Realty Amarillo. The show also airs in several timeslots on KFDA-DT2 throughout the week.

Chicago Hope controversy[edit]

On October 14, 1999, KFDA preempted an episode of Chicago Hope in which Mark Harmon's character Jack McNeil says the word "shit" while amputating a boy's leg and replaced the show with local programming. The station's then-vice president and general manager Mike Lee decided that the station would not air the episode due to the curse word and later apologized to viewers for the network's poor choice, but not for the local decision to preempt.[citation needed]

News operation[edit]

As of September 2017, KFDA-TV currently broadcasts 24+12 hours of locally produced newscasts each week (with 4+12 hours each weekday and one hour each on Saturdays and Sundays). In addition, KFDA-DT2 broadcasts 12+12 hours of locally produced newscasts each week: a morning newscast consisting of a combined second-hour simulcast and half-hour exclusive extension of the NewsChannel 10 Early Show, and a simulcast of the hour-long 6 p.m. newscast carried on the station's main feed. These air only on weekdays. The station may also simulcast long-form severe weather coverage on "NewsChannel 10 Too" in the event that a tornado warning is issued for any county within the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles as well as Eastern New Mexico.

On February 23, 2011, KFDA became the first television station in the Amarillo market to upgrade production and transmission of its local newscasts to high definition.[37]

Other local programming[edit]

Channel 10 served as the Amarillo market's "Love Network" affiliate for the Muscular Dystrophy Association's Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon for 39 years from 1973 to 2012. Because of the station's commitments to run CBS' entertainment and sports programming, KFDA usually aired the telethon on a three-hour tape delay following its 10 p.m. newscast on the Sunday preceding Labor Day. For the same reason, when the telethon was reduced to a six-hour prime time telecast on the Sunday before Labor Day in September 2011, the broadcast was transferred over to KFDA-DT2 to allow the main feed to fulfill its CBS programming commitments. (The broadcast—by then reduced to a two-hour special—moved to ABC in September 2013, airing thereafter by association on KVII-TV until the final telecast of the retitled MDA Show of Strength in August 2014.[49])

On September 10, 2018, the station began producing a local program called NewsChannel 10's 2nd Cup, which airs weekdays at 9 a.m.

In 2020, KFDA-DT2 began producing a local morning talk show known as The Chat, which partners with radio station KGNC 710 AM which airs weekdays at 7 a.m.

Notable former on-air staff[edit]

Technical information[edit]

Subchannels[edit]

The station's digital signal is multiplexed:

Subchannels of KFDA-TV[50]
Channel Res. Aspect Short name Programming
10.1 1080i 16:9 KFDA-HD Main KFDA-TV programming / CBS
10.2 480i KZBZ NewsChannel 10 Too
10.3 ION Ion Television (KEYU-DT4)
10.4 MeTV MeTV
10.5 COZI Cozi TV
10.6 Oxygen Oxygen

Analog-to-digital conversion[edit]

KFDA began transmitting a digital television signal on UHF channel 39 on September 1, 2002. It became the first television station in Amarillo to begin digital broadcasting operations upon sign-on of the digital channel as well as the first station in the market to simulcast programming content in high definition.[51]

The station shut down its analog signal, over VHF channel 10, on June 12, 2009, the official date on which full-power television stations in the United States transitioned from analog to digital television under federal mandate.[52][53][54] The station's digital signal moved to its pre-transition VHF channel 10.

Translators[edit]

In addition to maintaining cable carriage within this area, KFDA-TV covers a large portion of the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles, northeastern New Mexico and far southwestern Kansas through a network of translators that distribute its programming beyond the 75.2-mile-wide (121.0 km) range corridor of its broadcast signal (all translators transmit on virtual channel 10):

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for KFDA-TV". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ "TV Applications Filed with the FCC". Broadcasting. Broadcasting Publications, Inc. July 7, 1952. p. 85.
  3. ^ "For the Record". Broadcasting-Telecasting. Broadcasting Publications, Inc. October 20, 1952. p. 66.
  4. ^ "KFDA Completes Staff For Aug. 1 Inauguration". Broadcasting-Broadcast Advertising. Broadcasting Publications, Inc. August 1, 1939. p. 67.
  5. ^ "100th Affiliate Joins CBS-TV Network". Broadcasting-Telecasting. Broadcasting Publications, Inc. March 23, 1953. p. 73.
  6. ^ a b "Closed Circuit: TSN Acquires KFDA Control". Broadcasting-Telecasting. Broadcasting Publications, Inc. November 16, 1953. p. 64.
  7. ^ "Transfer Bids Filed For KFDA-AM-TV, KTOK". Broadcasting-Telecasting (PDF). Broadcasting Publications, Inc. January 11, 1954. p. 56.
    "For the Record". Broadcasting. Broadcasting Publications, Inc. January 18, 1954. p. 109.
  8. ^ "Changing Hands". Broadcasting. Broadcasting Publications, Inc. December 16, 1957. p. 80.
  9. ^ "For the Record". Broadcasting. Broadcasting Publications, Inc. January 13, 1958. p. 110.
  10. ^ "For the Record". Broadcasting. Broadcasting Publications, Inc. August 29, 1966. p. 83.
  11. ^ "For the Record". Broadcasting. Broadcasting Publications, Inc. September 16, 1963. p. 112.
  12. ^ "Changing hands". Broadcasting. Broadcasting Publications, Inc. January 27, 1964. p. 60.
  13. ^ "For the Record". Broadcasting. Broadcasting Publications, Inc. February 3, 1964. p. 82.
  14. ^ "For the Record". Broadcasting. Broadcasting Publications, Inc. March 30, 1964. p. 149.
  15. ^ "For the Record". Broadcasting. Broadcast Publications, Inc. April 26, 1965. p. 76.
  16. ^ "For the Record". Broadcasting. Broadcast Publications, Inc. March 8, 1965. p. 92.
  17. ^ "For the Record". Broadcasting. Broadcast Publications, Inc. October 18, 1965. p. 112.
  18. ^ "Richardson sale of properties OK'd". Broadcasting. Broadcast Publications, Inc. February 7, 1966. p. 46.
    "For the Record". Broadcasting. Broadcast Publications, Inc. February 7, 1966. p. 78.
  19. ^ "For the Record". Broadcasting. Broadcasting Publications, Inc. July 12, 1965. p. 86.
  20. ^ "Changing Hands". Broadcasting. Broadcasting Publications, Inc. November 22, 1965. p. 69.
  21. ^ "For the Record". Broadcasting. Broadcasting Publications, Inc. November 29, 1965. p. 69.
  22. ^ "For the Record". Broadcasting. Broadcasting Publications, Inc. March 14, 1966. p. 94.
  23. ^ "Station Turnover Evens Off". Broadcasting. Broadcasting Publications, Inc. February 27, 1967. p. 78.
  24. ^ a b "Changing Hands". Broadcasting. Broadcasting Publications, Inc. August 16, 1976. p. 30.
  25. ^ "Changing Hands". Broadcasting-Telecasting. Broadcasting Publications, Inc. October 3, 1975. p. 35.
  26. ^ "For the Record". Broadcasting-Telecasting. Broadcasting Publications, Inc. January 12, 1976. p. 46.
  27. ^ "Call letters". Broadcasting. Broadcast Publications, Inc. February 23, 1976. p. 105.
  28. ^ "Changing Hands". Broadcasting. Broadcast Publications, Inc. October 13, 1975. p. 35.
  29. ^ a b "Changing Hands". Broadcasting. Broadcast Publications, Inc. May 10, 1976. p. 30.
  30. ^ "Changing Hands". Broadcasting. Broadcast Publications, Inc. September 6, 1976. p. 41.
  31. ^ "Changing Hands". Broadcasting. Broadcast Publications, Inc. October 31, 1983. p. 70.
  32. ^ "Changing Hands". Broadcasting. Broadcast Publications, Inc. February 6, 1984. p. 164.
  33. ^ Malone, Michael (July 1, 2008). "London Buys Drewry Stations". Broadcasting & Cable. Reed Business Information. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  34. ^ "London Broadcasting buys 11 stations from Drewry". Dallas Business Journal. American City Business Journals. July 2, 2008. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  35. ^ "NewsChannel 10 is purchased by London Broadcasting". KFDA-TV. Drewry Communications. June 30, 2008. Retrieved October 22, 2009.
  36. ^ "London adds a market, leaves a crater". Radio-Television Business Report. Streamline-RBR, Inc. January 16, 2009. Archived from the original on June 21, 2009. Retrieved October 22, 2009.
  37. ^ a b Winslow, George (March 7, 2011). "West Texas Gets Hi-Def News". Broadcasting & Cable. NewBay Media. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  38. ^ Jessell, Harry A. (August 10, 2015). "Raycom Buying Drewry For $160 Million". TVNewsCheck. NewsCheck Media. Retrieved August 12, 2015.
  39. ^ Malone, Michael (August 18, 2015). "Raycom Acquires Drewry Stations for $160 Million". Broadcasting & Cable. NewBay Media. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
  40. ^ Kuperberg, Jonathan (December 1, 2015). "Raycom Media Completes $160 Million Acquisition of Drewry Communications". Broadcasting & Cable. NewBay Media.
  41. ^ "Raycom Closes On Drewry TV-Radio Buy". TVNewsCheck. NewsCheck Media. December 1, 2015. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  42. ^ "GRAY AND RAYCOM TO COMBINE IN A $3.6 BILLION TRANSACTION". Raycom Media (Press release). June 25, 2018. Archived from the original on June 25, 2018. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  43. ^ Miller, Mark K. (June 25, 2018). "Gray To Buy Raycom For $3.6 Billion". TVNewsCheck. NewsCheckMedia. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  44. ^ Eggerton, John (June 25, 2018). "Gray Buying Raycom for $3.6B". Broadcasting & Cable. NewBay Media.
  45. ^ Hayes, Dade (June 25, 2018). "Gray Acquiring Raycom For $3.65B, Forming No. 3 Local TV Group". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation.
  46. ^ "FCC OK with Gray/Raycom Merger", Broadcasting & Cable, December 20, 2018, Retrieved December 20, 2018.
  47. ^ "Gray Closes On $3.6 Billion Raycom Merger". TVNewsCheck. NewsCheckMedia. January 2, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
  48. ^ "Gray Completes Acquisition of Raycom Media and Related Transactions", Gray Television, January 2, 2019, Retrieved January 2, 2019.
  49. ^ "'MDA' Telethon Heads to Primetime on ABC". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. June 17, 2013.
  50. ^ "RabbitEars TV Query for KFDA". RabbitEars. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
  51. ^ "Cable channel shuffle heralds area's HDTV era". Amarillo Globe-News. September 15, 2002.
  52. ^ "Start here for a DTV Basic Overview for NewsChannel 10's Viewing area". KFDA-TV. Drewry Communications. January 30, 2009. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  53. ^ "What DTV Delay Means for You". KFDA-TV. Drewry Communications. January 30, 2009.
  54. ^ "DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and the Second Rounds" (PDF). Federal Communications Commission. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 29, 2013. Retrieved June 26, 2017.

External links[edit]