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Wikipedia

KPNX

KPNX (channel 12) is a television station licensed to Mesa, Arizona, United States, serving the Phoenix area as an affiliate of NBC. The station is owned by Tegna Inc., and maintains studios at the Republic Media building on Van Buren Street in downtown Phoenix (which also houses formerly co-owned newspaper The Arizona Republic); its transmitter is located atop South Mountain on the city's south side.

KPNX
CityMesa, Arizona
Channels
Branding12News
Programming
Affiliations
Ownership
Owner
History
First air date
May 2, 1953 (70 years ago) (1953-05-02)
Former call signs
  • KTYL-TV (1953–1954)
  • KVAR (1955–1961)
  • KTAR-TV (1961–1979)
Former channel number(s)
  • Analog: 12 (VHF, 1953–2009)
  • Digital: 36 (UHF, 2000–2009), 12 (VHF, 2009–2021)
DuMont (secondary, 1953–1956)
Call sign meaning
"Phoenix"
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID35486
ERP1,000 kW
HAAT535.1 m (1,756 ft)
Transmitter coordinates33°20′0″N 112°3′51″W / 33.33333°N 112.06417°W / 33.33333; -112.06417
Translator(s)
Links
Public license information
  • Public file
  • LMS
Websitewww.12news.com

KPNX is also broadcast on satellite station KNAZ-TV (channel 2) in Flagstaff, which formerly was a separate NBC affiliate, and a network of low-power translators across northern and central Arizona.

Channel 12 was the second TV station on the air in the Phoenix area, starting in 1953. Originally established in Mesa itself, it was acquired by Phoenix radio station KTAR (620 AM) in 1954 in a maneuver that ended a contest over channel 3 in Phoenix and was co-owned with that outlet for 25 years. It has been owned by Tegna and its predecessor, Gannett, since 1979, when it became KPNX.

History edit

Early years edit

 
KTYL-TV was the first Phoenix-area TV station to broadcast from South Mountain

On November 1, 1952, Harkins Broadcasting, Inc. filed an application to build a new television station on channel 12 in Mesa, Arizona.[2] Harkins Broadcasting was a joint venture of two movie theater operators, Harkins Theatres and Harry Nace, and owned Mesa radio stations KTYL (1310 AM) and KTYL-FM 104.7. The Federal Communications Commission granted the construction permit on February 18, 1953.[3] At the end of March 1953, the city of Phoenix's parks board approved a South Mountain transmitter, reversing an earlier decision that would have denied television stations not licensed to Phoenix the use of the site and which was protested by television set owners who wanted to be assured reception of all stations from one site.[4]

With the site approved by the FCC and the city of Phoenix, construction began nearly immediately. Much of the studio equipment, installed at an expansion to the KTYL facilities on Main Street in Mesa, was already on hand.[5] The station began broadcasting on May 2, with its introductory program being a 19-hour telethon to benefit United Cerebral Palsy.[6] An NBC affiliate from the outset,[7] the station briefly maintained a Phoenix office which closed just two months after launch.[8]

Lurking under the embryonic Phoenix television landscape was the absence of one of the state's pioneer radio stations. In 1948, KTAR (620 AM) had filed for Phoenix's channel 3, only to see the FCC plunge television applications into a four-year-long freeze. As early as 1945, KTAR had arranged for exclusive rights to the South Mountain space that would later be used by all of the Phoenix TV stations as a transmitter site—a concession that was overturned in the run-up to KTYL-TV's launch.[4] When the freeze was lifted in 1952, KTAR declared it would be on the air within three months of a construction permit grant, having already selected a site for and broken ground on a proposed television and radio studio at Central Avenue and Portland Street and contracted for equipment to furnish it.[9][10] It was speculated that KPHO-TV owner Meredith Corporation—whose station was the only pre-freeze outlet in the state—might have decided to let KTYL-TV have NBC because of the sense that, as soon as KTAR won a television station, it would sign up with NBC, mirroring the radio station.[11]

However, KTAR's channel 3 picture became cloudy in February 1953, just as the FCC was about to hand down a decision. A new applicant, the Arizona Television Company, filed for the channel.[3] This applicant added a major power broker to its ranks months later: Ernest McFarland, former senator and soon to be governor.[12] In February 1954, hearings were held on the channel 3 assignment.[13]

The channel 3 contest ended in April 1954, when KTAR announced it would buy KTYL-TV for $250,000, a decision that cleared the way for the Arizona Television Company to build KTVK.[14][15] In announcing the purchase, KTAR owner John J. Louis explained that he wanted to give KTAR a television sister without going through hearings.[14]

When the sale closed in July 1954, KTYL-TV became KVAR; immediately, KTAR-purchased equipment was added to the studios,[16] which were then moved to Phoenix in 1956 over KTVK's objection;[17] the station was also allowed to identify as "Phoenix/Mesa" in 1958.[2] In 1960, a new tower and maximum-power transmitter were commissioned;[18] the prior facility was then sold to Arizona State University and used to launch educational station KAET on channel 8 in 1961.[19][20] In April 1961, the call sign was changed to KTAR-TV, which had not been previously available to the television station because it was licensed to a different location from the radio station.[2]

Growth edit

 
KTAR-TV logo used from 1970 to 1973.

In 1968, the Louis family's KTAR and Eller Outdoor Advertising, owned by Karl Eller, merged into Combined Communications Corporation.[21] Combined then grew into owning other television and radio stations and owned a full complement of seven by 1974, when it merged with Pacific & Southern Broadcasting Company.[22]

In 1978, Combined Communications agreed to merge with the Gannett Company. The merged company opted to retain channel 12 and divest the Phoenix radio stations;[23] Combined's ownership of the KTAR stations had been grandfathered earlier in the decade when the FCC forbade common ownership of television and radio stations in top-50 markets, but with the Gannett merger, the KTAR cluster lost its grandfathered protection. The radio stations were traded to Pulitzer Broadcasting in 1979 for KSD radio in St. Louis and $2 million.[24] KTAR-TV then changed its call sign to KPNX on June 4, 1979, since the radio properties had held the KTAR call letters first.[25][a]

From 1977 to 1995, channel 12 was run by general manager C.E. "Pep" Cooney, who also did on-air editorials; he then became a senior vice president of Gannett for several years prior to his retirement in 1998.[26][27] In 1985, it was the first Phoenix TV station to broadcast in stereo.[28]

The fact that KPNX was the only Phoenix station unaffected by a major realignment of network affiliations in 1994 and 1995 fueled a run of success for KPNX and its news department that lasted more than a decade. In 2005, the station had the highest revenue of any in Phoenix: $75 million, representing almost 20 percent of the market.[29]

 
KTAR-TV logo from 1973. Based on the lettering used by NBC News at the time, the "12" logo survived until early 1986, long after the station became KPNX.

Newspaper co-ownership edit

 
Southwest corner of the Republic Media Building in 2013

In 2000, Gannett merged with Central Newspapers, owner of The Arizona Republic, in the second-largest newspaper deal ever at the time.[30] While the FCC barred the common ownership of newspapers and television stations in the same market, Gannett successfully banked on a potential rule change; even as written at the time before being relaxed in 2003, the issue would not have been pressed until KPNX's license came up for renewal in 2006.[31] With Gannett owning the then-number-one station in Phoenix and the state's largest newspaper, the two merged their websites in 2001.[32]

In January 2011, KPNX left its longtime home on Central Avenue and consolidated its operations with The Republic at the Republic Media Building on East Van Buren Street in downtown Phoenix, with the station's local newscasts broadcasting from a streetside studio.[33] The Central Avenue facility was then significantly renovated and became the Parsons Center for Health and Wellness, the headquarters complex for the Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS.[34]

Tegna ownership edit

On June 29, 2015, the Gannett Company split in two, with one side specializing in print media and the other side specializing in broadcast and digital media. KPNX was retained by the broadcasting company, which took the name Tegna.[35] KPNX and The Republic continue to operate in the same building as separate entities; as a consequence of the split, KPNX regained a separate website, having shared azcentral.com with the newspaper.[36]

Local programming edit

Newscasts edit

 
The KPNX streetside studio in 2013

KTAR-TV was the Phoenix pioneer of the so-called "happy talk" news format when it reformatted its newscasts under the Action News format in late 1973,[37] with longtime anchor Ray Thompson paired alongside Bob Hughes, weatherman Dewey Hopper (last with Air America Radio affiliate KPHX and a longtime weather forecaster in Sacramento) and sportscaster Ted Brown. By 1980, the station had moved into a solid second-place position behind KOOL-TV.[38] The "Action News" moniker was dropped in 1986.[39] KTVK's rise in the late 1980s and early 1990s led to a more competitive environment.[40]

In 1994, KPNX was the only station unaffected by a major realignment of network affiliations in the Phoenix market. This status and the strength of NBC in the late 1990s helped to catalyze a decade of ratings success for channel 12, which put together nearly 50 consecutive ratings book wins at 10 p.m. from 1996 to 2007, even while NBC's ratings faltered toward the end of the run.[41] It was the first station in the state to convert its news production to high definition in 2006.[42]

Channel 12 began using a helicopter in 1978; it was the market's second, and it was piloted by Jerry Foster, who was hired from KOOL-TV.[43] "Sky 12" was frequently called upon for search and rescue missions,[44][45] and Foster received a Harmon Trophy in 1981.[46] He left KPNX in 1988[47] and later worked at KTVK, his career ending when he was indicted on methamphetamine charges in 1996.[46] On March 1, 2009, KPNX began to share a news helicopter operated by Helicopters Inc., as part of an agreement with KPHO-TV and KTVK; the helicopter was named "News Chopper 20", as a combination of the channel numbers of the three stations (3, 5 and 12).[48][49][50] All four Phoenix television newsrooms now share a helicopter.[51]

Sports programming edit

Karl Eller, who owned the company that became Combined Communications, was also one of the original founding owners of the city's first major professional sports team, the NBA's Phoenix Suns. Channel 12 carried Suns games from the team's 1968 inception[52] until 1973; KPHO-TV aired the Suns for six seasons until they returned to KPNX from 1979[53] to 1985, when the game telecasts moved to then-independent station KNXV-TV.[54]

In 2017, KPNX acquired the rights to preseason games of the Arizona Cardinals and also began airing team-oriented programming.[55]

Notable former on-air staff edit

Technical information edit

Subchannels edit

The station's signal is multiplexed:

Subchannels of KPNX[65]
Channel Res. Aspect Short name Programming
12.1 1080i 16:9 KPNX-HD Main KPNX programming / NBC
12.2 480i Weather Shop LC
12.3 Crime True Crime Network
12.4 Quest Quest
12.5 Twist Twist
35.3 480i 16:9 getTV getTV (KFPH-CD)
61.2 480i 16:9 Grit Grit (KASW)
  Broadcast on behalf of another station

On July 8, 2021—the same date that KPNX moved to UHF—the station's ATSC 3.0 signal also moved from the low-power KFPH-CD multiplex to KASW. As part of a simultaneous rebalancing of KASW's subchannels, KASW's subchannel of Grit was moved to the KPNX multiplex.[66]

Analog-to-digital conversion edit

In 1997, the FCC allocated UHF channel 36 as KPNX's companion digital channel, construction on the digital transmitter began the following year. KPNX signed on its digital signal in June 2000. KPNX shut down its analog signal, over VHF channel 12, at 10:12 p.m. (during the station's 10 p.m. newscast) on June 12, 2009, the official date on which full-power television stations in the United States transitioned from analog to digital broadcasts under federal mandate. At 10:38 p.m. on that date, the station's digital signal relocated from its pre-transition UHF channel 36 to VHF channel 12.[67][68]

In 2021, the FCC approved KPNX's move from VHF channel 12 to UHF channel 18, which went into effect on July 8.[69]

Translators edit

KPNX's signal is additionally rebroadcast over the following translators:[70]

Notes edit

  1. ^ At the time, broadcast stations with different owners could not share the same call letters.

References edit

  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for KPNX". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ a b c FCC History Cards for KPNX
  3. ^ a b "KTYL Given Okay To Build TV Station". The Arizona Republic. February 19, 1953. p. 1. from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Beaty, Orren (April 1, 1953). "South Mountain TV Site Granted Mesa Station: KTYL Gets City Parks Board Okay". The Arizona Republic. p. 1. from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  5. ^ "Mesa KTYL-TV Sets April 25 For Debut". The Arizona Republic. April 2, 1953. p. 2. from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  6. ^ "KTYL-TV Opener Draws 40,000, Raises $53,340 In Palsy Fight". The Arizona Republic. May 4, 1953. p. 15. from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  7. ^ "Seven More Report TV Starts". Broadcasting. May 11, 1953. p. 50. ProQuest 1285717827.
  8. ^ Wilson, Maggie (July 13, 1953). "KTYL-TV Closes Office Here, Operates At Suburban Studio". The Arizona Republic. p. 12. from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  9. ^ "2 New Stations Planned As U.S. Ends TV Freeze". The Arizona Republic. April 14, 1952. pp. 1, 2. from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  10. ^ Fuller, Henry (June 15, 1952). "KTAR Marks 30th Anniversary As New Station Project Begins". The Arizona Republic. p. II:6. from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  11. ^ Wilson, Maggie (April 30, 1953). "Networks Split Made Official". The Arizona Republic. p. 3:6. from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  12. ^ "McFarland Joins in TV Station". Arizona Republic. May 31, 1953. p. 3. from the original on June 30, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "TV Hearings Open Tomorrow". The Arizona Republic. February 25, 1954. p. 35. from the original on June 30, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ a b "Purchase Of KTYL-TV By KTAR Announced". The Arizona Republic. April 30, 1954. p. 1. from the original on June 30, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ "KTYL-TV Tag $250,000". The Arizona Republic. May 5, 1954. p. 22. from the original on June 30, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "Mesa TV Station Control Changes". The Arizona Daily Star. July 1, 1954. p. 7A. from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  17. ^ "FCC Affirms KVAR (TV) Grant For Move of Its Main Studio" (PDF). Broadcasting. July 29, 1957. p. 64. ProQuest 1285748000. (PDF) from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  18. ^ "KVAR Ups Power Today". The Arizona Republic. September 15, 1960. p. 29. from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  19. ^ "ASU Wants Channel 8 For Educational Use". The Arizona Republic. July 31, 1960. p. 8. from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  20. ^ Meibert, Virgil (January 28, 1960). "Regents Okay Plans For Educational TV On Channel 8". The Arizona Republic. p. 18. from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  21. ^ "Ad agency, broadcast merger OKd". The Arizona Republic. October 18, 1968. p. 2-B. from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  22. ^ "P&S goes under wing of CCC" (PDF). Broadcasting. April 23, 1973. pp. 22–23. ProQuest 1285748364. (PDF) from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  23. ^ Cole, Joe (May 9, 1978). "Combined Communications and Gannett Co. to merge". The Arizona Republic. p. 1. from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  24. ^ "In Brief" (PDF). Broadcasting. October 2, 1978. p. 30. ProQuest 1014694488. (PDF) from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  25. ^ Price, Hardy (May 31, 1979). "KPNX-TV was not an EZ PIK". The Arizona Republic. p. B-10.
  26. ^ Walker, Dave (April 3, 1998). "Channel 3 to air events from D-Backs' opener". The Arizona Republic. p. D17. from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  27. ^ Wagner, Dennis; Cone Sexton, Connie (September 4, 2003). "Local TV icon 'Pep' Cooney dies at age 70". The Arizona Republic. pp. A1, A10. from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  28. ^ Wilkinson, Bud (June 14, 1985). "KPNX-TV becomes Valley's first stereo-active station". The Arizona Republic. p. E15. from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  29. ^ Davis Hudson, Eileen (May 29, 2006). "Phoenix" (PDF). Mediaweek. pp. 10–16. ProQuest 213655600. (PDF) from the original on March 10, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  30. ^ Gilbertson, Dawn (June 29, 2000). "Gannett acquiring 'Republic': $2.8 billion deal ends years of Pulliam control". The Arizona Republic. pp. A1, A8. from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  31. ^ Robertson, Anne (July 7, 2000). "Gannett Co. buyout bets on FCC rule". Phoenix Business Journal. p. 1. ProQuest 225068322 – via ProQuest.
  32. ^ Davis Hudson, Eileen (January 14, 2002). "Phoenix" (PDF). Mediaweek. pp. 10–16. ProQuest 213639039. (PDF) from the original on March 10, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  33. ^ Ducey, Lynn (October 10, 2010). "Local stations debut new shows; KPNX moving to downtown studio". Phoenix Business Journal. from the original on February 28, 2014. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
  34. ^ "The Parsons Foundation Gives $5MM to Fight HIV/AIDS; Southwest Center to Build Parsons Foundation Center for Health, Education & Wellness". Businesswire. May 14, 2012. from the original on April 18, 2016. Retrieved March 21, 2016.
  35. ^ "Separation of Gannett into two public companies completed | TEGNA". Tegna. June 29, 2015. from the original on July 2, 2015. Retrieved June 29, 2015.
  36. ^ Sunnucks, Mike (July 6, 2015). "Divorce, separate bedrooms and bedbugs: Breaking down the Gannett breakup for 'Arizona Republic,' KPNX". Phoenix Business Journal. from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  37. ^ Goldthwaite, Thomas (November 7, 1973). "The TV news tease". The Arizona Republic. p. B-11. from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  38. ^ Wilkinson, Bud (June 2, 1980). "Aftershocks of ABC affiliate switch in Atlanta might be felt in Phoenix". The Arizona Republic. p. B5. from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  39. ^ Wilkinson, Bud (April 29, 1986). "2 stations revamp look of newscasts with new sets". The Arizona Republic. p. C9. from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
  40. ^ Wilkinson, Bud (December 29, 1988). "KTVK wins prime time, gains in news ratings". The Arizona Republic. p. C6. from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
  41. ^ Malone, Michael (July 27, 2007). "Phoenix Rising—Fast". Broadcasting & Cable. from the original on January 24, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  42. ^ Romano, Allison (January 3, 2007). "Local News Is Making Switch To HD". TWICE. from the original on January 17, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  43. ^ "Big names, helicopters aid in TV news battle". The Arizona Republic. August 26, 1979. p. A-2. from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  44. ^ Rose, Dick (August 30, 1981). "Jerry Foster to the rescue: 'Institution' saves family of 3". The Arizona Republic. p. B2. from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  45. ^ Schroeder, John (February 14, 1982). "Wrecked plane is found near Sedona; 4 are dead". The Arizona Republic. p. A8. from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  46. ^ a b Ruelas, Richard (March 6, 2014). "Phoenix TV's Jerry Foster fell from grace". The Arizona Republic. from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
  47. ^ Wilkinson, Bud (July 1, 1988). "Jerry Foster to give up controls of TV copter". The Arizona Republic. p. E14. from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  48. ^ "3 TV stations to share helicopter to cover the news". AZCentral.com. Belo. February 24, 2009. from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2009.
  49. ^ "Channels 5, 3, 12 To Share Chopper". KPHO. February 25, 2009. from the original on June 14, 2011. Retrieved February 25, 2009.
  50. ^ . KTAR. February 25, 2009. Archived from the original on February 20, 2009. Retrieved February 26, 2009.
  51. ^ Malone, Michael (February 15, 2021). "Local News Battle Royale in Phoenix". Broadcasting & Cable. from the original on March 3, 2021. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  52. ^ "KTAR to Air Suns". The Arizona Republic. June 27, 1968. p. 67. from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  53. ^ "Suns sign 5-year pact with KTAR-TV". The Arizona Republic. May 14, 1979. p. D-4. from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  54. ^ Wilkinson, Bud (May 24, 1985). "Channel 15, Phoenix Suns agree on pact for '85–86 season". The Arizona Republic. p. F12. from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  55. ^ "Arizona Cardinals preseason games to be available on NBC locally". Revenge of the Birds (SB Nation). from the original on August 15, 2017. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
  56. ^ Wilkinson, Bud (December 19, 1985). "'NewsCenter 10' retains top rating in Valley market". The Arizona Republic. p. F5. from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  57. ^ R. Cordova (December 28, 2006). "Signing off". Arizona Republic. from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved January 3, 2007.
  58. ^ "Channel 12 hires weather anchor". Arizona Republic. Phoenix, Arizona. August 24, 1994. p. Downtown/South Community 6. Retrieved June 6, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  59. ^ Price, Hardy (August 10, 1979). "KOOL newscaster Kent Dana to replace Hambrick at KPNX". The Arizona Republic. p. D-6. from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  60. ^ Goodykoontz, Bill (May 25, 2004). "Sean McLaughlin to leave Channel 12 to work for MSNBC". The Arizona Republic. p. B1. from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
  61. ^ Price, Hardy (May 16, 1979). "Travolta turns fight fan". The Arizona Republic. p. C-2. from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  62. ^ . KABC-TV. Archived from the original on August 23, 2011. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
  63. ^ John Christian Hopkins (May 9, 2007). "Mary Kim Titla to run for Arizona Congress". Gallup Independent. from the original on October 5, 2007. Retrieved December 25, 2007.
  64. ^ Knight, Michael (May 26, 2016). "Arizona connections to the 100th Indy 500". The Arizona Republic. from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
  65. ^ "RabbitEars TV Query for KPNX". rabbitears.info. from the original on March 16, 2016.
  66. ^ "Scripps KASW 3.0 Request for Modification of Special Temporary Authority (STA)". FCC Licensing and Management System. June 29, 2021. from the original on July 10, 2021. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  67. ^ "DTV Transition Status Report". FCC CDBS Database. February 19, 2008. Retrieved December 14, 2008.
  68. ^ (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on August 29, 2013. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
  69. ^ "How to rescan your antenna TV to watch 12 News, your local NBC affiliate". 12 News. June 2, 2021. from the original on August 14, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
  70. ^ "List of TV Translator Input Channels". Federal Communications Commission. July 23, 2021. from the original on December 9, 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2021.

External links edit

  • Official website

kpnx, channel, television, station, licensed, mesa, arizona, united, states, serving, phoenix, area, affiliate, station, owned, tegna, maintains, studios, republic, media, building, buren, street, downtown, phoenix, which, also, houses, formerly, owned, newspa. KPNX channel 12 is a television station licensed to Mesa Arizona United States serving the Phoenix area as an affiliate of NBC The station is owned by Tegna Inc and maintains studios at the Republic Media building on Van Buren Street in downtown Phoenix which also houses formerly co owned newspaper The Arizona Republic its transmitter is located atop South Mountain on the city s south side KPNXMesa Phoenix ArizonaUnited StatesCityMesa ArizonaChannelsDigital 18 UHF Virtual 12Branding12NewsProgrammingAffiliations12 1 NBCfor others see SubchannelsOwnershipOwnerTegna Inc Multimedia Holdings Corporation HistoryFirst air dateMay 2 1953 70 years ago 1953 05 02 Former call signsKTYL TV 1953 1954 KVAR 1955 1961 KTAR TV 1961 1979 Former channel number s Analog 12 VHF 1953 2009 Digital 36 UHF 2000 2009 12 VHF 2009 2021 Former affiliationsDuMont secondary 1953 1956 Call sign meaning Phoenix Technical information 1 Licensing authorityFCCFacility ID35486ERP1 000 kWHAAT535 1 m 1 756 ft Transmitter coordinates33 20 0 N 112 3 51 W 33 33333 N 112 06417 W 33 33333 112 06417Translator s KNAZ TV 2 22 UHF Flagstafffor others see TranslatorsLinksPublic license informationPublic fileLMSWebsitewww wbr 12news wbr comKPNX is also broadcast on satellite station KNAZ TV channel 2 in Flagstaff which formerly was a separate NBC affiliate and a network of low power translators across northern and central Arizona Channel 12 was the second TV station on the air in the Phoenix area starting in 1953 Originally established in Mesa itself it was acquired by Phoenix radio station KTAR 620 AM in 1954 in a maneuver that ended a contest over channel 3 in Phoenix and was co owned with that outlet for 25 years It has been owned by Tegna and its predecessor Gannett since 1979 when it became KPNX Contents 1 History 1 1 Early years 1 2 Growth 1 3 Newspaper co ownership 1 4 Tegna ownership 2 Local programming 2 1 Newscasts 2 2 Sports programming 2 3 Notable former on air staff 3 Technical information 3 1 Subchannels 3 2 Analog to digital conversion 3 3 Translators 4 Notes 5 References 6 External linksHistory editEarly years edit nbsp KTYL TV was the first Phoenix area TV station to broadcast from South MountainOn November 1 1952 Harkins Broadcasting Inc filed an application to build a new television station on channel 12 in Mesa Arizona 2 Harkins Broadcasting was a joint venture of two movie theater operators Harkins Theatres and Harry Nace and owned Mesa radio stations KTYL 1310 AM and KTYL FM 104 7 The Federal Communications Commission granted the construction permit on February 18 1953 3 At the end of March 1953 the city of Phoenix s parks board approved a South Mountain transmitter reversing an earlier decision that would have denied television stations not licensed to Phoenix the use of the site and which was protested by television set owners who wanted to be assured reception of all stations from one site 4 With the site approved by the FCC and the city of Phoenix construction began nearly immediately Much of the studio equipment installed at an expansion to the KTYL facilities on Main Street in Mesa was already on hand 5 The station began broadcasting on May 2 with its introductory program being a 19 hour telethon to benefit United Cerebral Palsy 6 An NBC affiliate from the outset 7 the station briefly maintained a Phoenix office which closed just two months after launch 8 Lurking under the embryonic Phoenix television landscape was the absence of one of the state s pioneer radio stations In 1948 KTAR 620 AM had filed for Phoenix s channel 3 only to see the FCC plunge television applications into a four year long freeze As early as 1945 KTAR had arranged for exclusive rights to the South Mountain space that would later be used by all of the Phoenix TV stations as a transmitter site a concession that was overturned in the run up to KTYL TV s launch 4 When the freeze was lifted in 1952 KTAR declared it would be on the air within three months of a construction permit grant having already selected a site for and broken ground on a proposed television and radio studio at Central Avenue and Portland Street and contracted for equipment to furnish it 9 10 It was speculated that KPHO TV owner Meredith Corporation whose station was the only pre freeze outlet in the state might have decided to let KTYL TV have NBC because of the sense that as soon as KTAR won a television station it would sign up with NBC mirroring the radio station 11 However KTAR s channel 3 picture became cloudy in February 1953 just as the FCC was about to hand down a decision A new applicant the Arizona Television Company filed for the channel 3 This applicant added a major power broker to its ranks months later Ernest McFarland former senator and soon to be governor 12 In February 1954 hearings were held on the channel 3 assignment 13 The channel 3 contest ended in April 1954 when KTAR announced it would buy KTYL TV for 250 000 a decision that cleared the way for the Arizona Television Company to build KTVK 14 15 In announcing the purchase KTAR owner John J Louis explained that he wanted to give KTAR a television sister without going through hearings 14 When the sale closed in July 1954 KTYL TV became KVAR immediately KTAR purchased equipment was added to the studios 16 which were then moved to Phoenix in 1956 over KTVK s objection 17 the station was also allowed to identify as Phoenix Mesa in 1958 2 In 1960 a new tower and maximum power transmitter were commissioned 18 the prior facility was then sold to Arizona State University and used to launch educational station KAET on channel 8 in 1961 19 20 In April 1961 the call sign was changed to KTAR TV which had not been previously available to the television station because it was licensed to a different location from the radio station 2 Growth edit nbsp KTAR TV logo used from 1970 to 1973 In 1968 the Louis family s KTAR and Eller Outdoor Advertising owned by Karl Eller merged into Combined Communications Corporation 21 Combined then grew into owning other television and radio stations and owned a full complement of seven by 1974 when it merged with Pacific amp Southern Broadcasting Company 22 In 1978 Combined Communications agreed to merge with the Gannett Company The merged company opted to retain channel 12 and divest the Phoenix radio stations 23 Combined s ownership of the KTAR stations had been grandfathered earlier in the decade when the FCC forbade common ownership of television and radio stations in top 50 markets but with the Gannett merger the KTAR cluster lost its grandfathered protection The radio stations were traded to Pulitzer Broadcasting in 1979 for KSD radio in St Louis and 2 million 24 KTAR TV then changed its call sign to KPNX on June 4 1979 since the radio properties had held the KTAR call letters first 25 a From 1977 to 1995 channel 12 was run by general manager C E Pep Cooney who also did on air editorials he then became a senior vice president of Gannett for several years prior to his retirement in 1998 26 27 In 1985 it was the first Phoenix TV station to broadcast in stereo 28 The fact that KPNX was the only Phoenix station unaffected by a major realignment of network affiliations in 1994 and 1995 fueled a run of success for KPNX and its news department that lasted more than a decade In 2005 the station had the highest revenue of any in Phoenix 75 million representing almost 20 percent of the market 29 nbsp KTAR TV logo from 1973 Based on the lettering used by NBC News at the time the 12 logo survived until early 1986 long after the station became KPNX Newspaper co ownership edit nbsp Southwest corner of the Republic Media Building in 2013In 2000 Gannett merged with Central Newspapers owner of The Arizona Republic in the second largest newspaper deal ever at the time 30 While the FCC barred the common ownership of newspapers and television stations in the same market Gannett successfully banked on a potential rule change even as written at the time before being relaxed in 2003 the issue would not have been pressed until KPNX s license came up for renewal in 2006 31 With Gannett owning the then number one station in Phoenix and the state s largest newspaper the two merged their websites in 2001 32 In January 2011 KPNX left its longtime home on Central Avenue and consolidated its operations with The Republic at the Republic Media Building on East Van Buren Street in downtown Phoenix with the station s local newscasts broadcasting from a streetside studio 33 The Central Avenue facility was then significantly renovated and became the Parsons Center for Health and Wellness the headquarters complex for the Southwest Center for HIV AIDS 34 Tegna ownership edit On June 29 2015 the Gannett Company split in two with one side specializing in print media and the other side specializing in broadcast and digital media KPNX was retained by the broadcasting company which took the name Tegna 35 KPNX and The Republic continue to operate in the same building as separate entities as a consequence of the split KPNX regained a separate website having shared azcentral com with the newspaper 36 Local programming editNewscasts edit nbsp The KPNX streetside studio in 2013KTAR TV was the Phoenix pioneer of the so called happy talk news format when it reformatted its newscasts under the Action News format in late 1973 37 with longtime anchor Ray Thompson paired alongside Bob Hughes weatherman Dewey Hopper last with Air America Radio affiliate KPHX and a longtime weather forecaster in Sacramento and sportscaster Ted Brown By 1980 the station had moved into a solid second place position behind KOOL TV 38 The Action News moniker was dropped in 1986 39 KTVK s rise in the late 1980s and early 1990s led to a more competitive environment 40 In 1994 KPNX was the only station unaffected by a major realignment of network affiliations in the Phoenix market This status and the strength of NBC in the late 1990s helped to catalyze a decade of ratings success for channel 12 which put together nearly 50 consecutive ratings book wins at 10 p m from 1996 to 2007 even while NBC s ratings faltered toward the end of the run 41 It was the first station in the state to convert its news production to high definition in 2006 42 Channel 12 began using a helicopter in 1978 it was the market s second and it was piloted by Jerry Foster who was hired from KOOL TV 43 Sky 12 was frequently called upon for search and rescue missions 44 45 and Foster received a Harmon Trophy in 1981 46 He left KPNX in 1988 47 and later worked at KTVK his career ending when he was indicted on methamphetamine charges in 1996 46 On March 1 2009 KPNX began to share a news helicopter operated by Helicopters Inc as part of an agreement with KPHO TV and KTVK the helicopter was named News Chopper 20 as a combination of the channel numbers of the three stations 3 5 and 12 48 49 50 All four Phoenix television newsrooms now share a helicopter 51 Sports programming edit Karl Eller who owned the company that became Combined Communications was also one of the original founding owners of the city s first major professional sports team the NBA s Phoenix Suns Channel 12 carried Suns games from the team s 1968 inception 52 until 1973 KPHO TV aired the Suns for six seasons until they returned to KPNX from 1979 53 to 1985 when the game telecasts moved to then independent station KNXV TV 54 In 2017 KPNX acquired the rights to preseason games of the Arizona Cardinals and also began airing team oriented programming 55 Notable former on air staff edit Pat Finn host of Finn amp Friends 1989 1990 later host of The Joker s Wild Shop til You Drop and California Lottery s The Big Spin 56 Jineane Ford anchor 1991 2007 most recently anchored Arizona Midday still fills in as Arizona Midday anchor 57 Kari Lake anchor 1994 1998 later at KSAZ TV 2022 Republican candidate for Governor of Arizona 58 Mike Hambrick anchor 1978 1979 59 Sean McLaughlin chief meteorologist 1992 2004 moved at first to MSNBC NBC Weather Plus now primary anchor at KPHO TV 60 Fred Roggin sports anchor 1978 1980 later with KNBC now at KLAC in Los Angeles 61 Ric Romero investigative reporter 1980s later KABC TV now retired 62 Mary Kim Titla reporter 1993 2005 publisher of Native Youth Magazine online unsuccessfully sought Congressional seat in 2008 63 Rick DeBruhl reporter 1978 2009 formerly a motorsports announcer with ESPN currently working for Motor Trend Group 64 Technical information editSubchannels edit The station s signal is multiplexed Subchannels of KPNX 65 Channel Res Aspect Short name Programming12 1 1080i 16 9 KPNX HD Main KPNX programming NBC12 2 480i Weather Shop LC12 3 Crime True Crime Network12 4 Quest Quest12 5 Twist Twist35 3 480i 16 9 getTV getTV KFPH CD 61 2 480i 16 9 Grit Grit KASW Broadcast on behalf of another station On July 8 2021 the same date that KPNX moved to UHF the station s ATSC 3 0 signal also moved from the low power KFPH CD multiplex to KASW As part of a simultaneous rebalancing of KASW s subchannels KASW s subchannel of Grit was moved to the KPNX multiplex 66 Analog to digital conversion edit In 1997 the FCC allocated UHF channel 36 as KPNX s companion digital channel construction on the digital transmitter began the following year KPNX signed on its digital signal in June 2000 KPNX shut down its analog signal over VHF channel 12 at 10 12 p m during the station s 10 p m newscast on June 12 2009 the official date on which full power television stations in the United States transitioned from analog to digital broadcasts under federal mandate At 10 38 p m on that date the station s digital signal relocated from its pre transition UHF channel 36 to VHF channel 12 67 68 In 2021 the FCC approved KPNX s move from VHF channel 12 to UHF channel 18 which went into effect on July 8 69 Translators edit KPNX s signal is additionally rebroadcast over the following translators 70 Bullhead City K08PK D Camp Verde K25MK D Chloride K25PJ D Dolan Springs K35EI D Globe K26OD D Golden Valley K21EG D Kingman K35MX D Lake Havasu City K28PO D Meadview K23DK D Payson KPSN LD 22 Peach Springs K26GF D Prescott K06AE DNotes edit At the time broadcast stations with different owners could not share the same call letters References edit Facility Technical Data for KPNX Licensing and Management System Federal Communications Commission a b c FCC History Cards for KPNX a b KTYL Given Okay To Build TV Station The Arizona Republic February 19 1953 p 1 Archived from the original on September 25 2021 Retrieved September 23 2021 a b Beaty Orren April 1 1953 South Mountain TV Site Granted Mesa Station KTYL Gets City Parks Board Okay The Arizona Republic p 1 Archived from the original on September 25 2021 Retrieved September 23 2021 Mesa KTYL TV Sets April 25 For Debut The Arizona Republic April 2 1953 p 2 Archived from the original on September 25 2021 Retrieved September 23 2021 KTYL TV Opener Draws 40 000 Raises 53 340 In Palsy Fight The Arizona Republic May 4 1953 p 15 Archived from the original on September 25 2021 Retrieved September 23 2021 Seven More Report TV Starts Broadcasting May 11 1953 p 50 ProQuest 1285717827 Wilson Maggie July 13 1953 KTYL TV Closes Office Here Operates At Suburban Studio The Arizona Republic p 12 Archived from the original on September 25 2021 Retrieved September 23 2021 2 New Stations Planned As U S Ends TV Freeze The Arizona Republic April 14 1952 pp 1 2 Archived from the original on September 25 2021 Retrieved September 23 2021 Fuller Henry June 15 1952 KTAR Marks 30th Anniversary As New Station Project Begins The Arizona Republic p II 6 Archived from the original on September 25 2021 Retrieved September 23 2021 Wilson Maggie April 30 1953 Networks Split Made Official The Arizona Republic p 3 6 Archived from the original on September 25 2021 Retrieved September 23 2021 McFarland Joins in TV Station Arizona Republic May 31 1953 p 3 Archived from the original on June 30 2021 Retrieved November 14 2020 via Newspapers com TV Hearings Open Tomorrow The Arizona Republic February 25 1954 p 35 Archived from the original on June 30 2021 Retrieved November 14 2020 via Newspapers com a b Purchase Of KTYL TV By KTAR Announced The Arizona Republic April 30 1954 p 1 Archived from the original on June 30 2021 Retrieved November 14 2020 via Newspapers com KTYL TV Tag 250 000 The Arizona Republic May 5 1954 p 22 Archived from the original on June 30 2021 Retrieved November 14 2020 via Newspapers com Mesa TV Station Control Changes The Arizona Daily Star July 1 1954 p 7A Archived from the original on September 25 2021 Retrieved September 23 2021 FCC Affirms KVAR TV Grant For Move of Its Main Studio PDF Broadcasting July 29 1957 p 64 ProQuest 1285748000 Archived PDF from the original on March 8 2021 Retrieved September 23 2021 KVAR Ups Power Today The Arizona Republic September 15 1960 p 29 Archived from the original on September 25 2021 Retrieved September 23 2021 ASU Wants Channel 8 For Educational Use The Arizona Republic July 31 1960 p 8 Archived from the original on September 25 2021 Retrieved September 23 2021 Meibert Virgil January 28 1960 Regents Okay Plans For Educational TV On Channel 8 The Arizona Republic p 18 Archived from the original on September 25 2021 Retrieved September 23 2021 Ad agency broadcast merger OKd The Arizona Republic October 18 1968 p 2 B Archived from the original on September 25 2021 Retrieved September 23 2021 P amp S goes under wing of CCC PDF Broadcasting April 23 1973 pp 22 23 ProQuest 1285748364 Archived PDF from the original on March 8 2021 Retrieved September 23 2021 Cole Joe May 9 1978 Combined Communications and Gannett Co to merge The Arizona Republic p 1 Archived from the original on September 25 2021 Retrieved September 23 2021 In Brief PDF Broadcasting October 2 1978 p 30 ProQuest 1014694488 Archived PDF from the original on March 8 2021 Retrieved September 23 2021 Price Hardy May 31 1979 KPNX TV was not an EZ PIK The Arizona Republic p B 10 Walker Dave April 3 1998 Channel 3 to air events from D Backs opener The Arizona Republic p D17 Archived from the original on September 25 2021 Retrieved September 24 2021 Wagner Dennis Cone Sexton Connie September 4 2003 Local TV icon Pep Cooney dies at age 70 The Arizona Republic pp A1 A10 Archived from the original on September 25 2021 Retrieved September 24 2021 Wilkinson Bud June 14 1985 KPNX TV becomes Valley s first stereo active station The Arizona Republic p E15 Archived from the original on September 25 2021 Retrieved September 24 2021 Davis Hudson Eileen May 29 2006 Phoenix PDF Mediaweek pp 10 16 ProQuest 213655600 Archived PDF from the original on March 10 2021 Retrieved September 24 2021 Gilbertson Dawn June 29 2000 Gannett acquiring Republic 2 8 billion deal ends years of Pulliam control The Arizona Republic pp A1 A8 Archived from the original on September 25 2021 Retrieved September 24 2021 Robertson Anne July 7 2000 Gannett Co buyout bets on FCC rule Phoenix Business Journal p 1 ProQuest 225068322 via ProQuest Davis Hudson Eileen January 14 2002 Phoenix PDF Mediaweek pp 10 16 ProQuest 213639039 Archived PDF from the original on March 10 2021 Retrieved September 24 2021 Ducey Lynn October 10 2010 Local stations debut new shows KPNX moving to downtown studio Phoenix Business Journal Archived from the original on February 28 2014 Retrieved September 24 2012 The Parsons Foundation Gives 5MM to Fight HIV AIDS Southwest Center to Build Parsons Foundation Center for Health Education amp Wellness Businesswire May 14 2012 Archived from the original on April 18 2016 Retrieved March 21 2016 Separation of Gannett into two public companies completed TEGNA Tegna June 29 2015 Archived from the original on July 2 2015 Retrieved June 29 2015 Sunnucks Mike July 6 2015 Divorce separate bedrooms and bedbugs Breaking down the Gannett breakup for Arizona Republic KPNX Phoenix Business Journal Archived from the original on September 25 2021 Retrieved September 24 2021 Goldthwaite Thomas November 7 1973 The TV news tease The Arizona Republic p B 11 Archived from the original on September 25 2021 Retrieved September 24 2021 Wilkinson Bud June 2 1980 Aftershocks of ABC affiliate switch in Atlanta might be felt in Phoenix The Arizona Republic p B5 Archived from the original on September 25 2021 Retrieved September 24 2021 Wilkinson Bud April 29 1986 2 stations revamp look of newscasts with new sets The Arizona Republic p C9 Archived from the original on September 25 2021 Retrieved September 25 2021 Wilkinson Bud December 29 1988 KTVK wins prime time gains in news ratings The Arizona Republic p C6 Archived from the original on September 25 2021 Retrieved September 25 2021 Malone Michael July 27 2007 Phoenix Rising Fast Broadcasting amp Cable Archived from the original on January 24 2021 Retrieved September 24 2021 Romano Allison January 3 2007 Local News Is Making Switch To HD TWICE Archived from the original on January 17 2021 Retrieved September 24 2021 Big names helicopters aid in TV news battle The Arizona Republic August 26 1979 p A 2 Archived from the original on September 25 2021 Retrieved September 24 2021 Rose Dick August 30 1981 Jerry Foster to the rescue Institution saves family of 3 The Arizona Republic p B2 Archived from the original on September 25 2021 Retrieved September 24 2021 Schroeder John February 14 1982 Wrecked plane is found near Sedona 4 are dead The Arizona Republic p A8 Archived from the original on September 25 2021 Retrieved September 24 2021 a b Ruelas Richard March 6 2014 Phoenix TV s Jerry Foster fell from grace The Arizona Republic Archived from the original on September 25 2021 Retrieved September 25 2021 Wilkinson Bud July 1 1988 Jerry Foster to give up controls of TV copter The Arizona Republic p E14 Archived from the original on September 25 2021 Retrieved September 24 2021 3 TV stations to share helicopter to cover the news AZCentral com Belo February 24 2009 Archived from the original on September 25 2021 Retrieved February 25 2009 Channels 5 3 12 To Share Chopper KPHO February 25 2009 Archived from the original on June 14 2011 Retrieved February 25 2009 Phoenix TV stations to share news helicopter KTAR February 25 2009 Archived from the original on February 20 2009 Retrieved February 26 2009 Malone Michael February 15 2021 Local News Battle Royale in Phoenix Broadcasting amp Cable Archived from the original on March 3 2021 Retrieved March 17 2021 KTAR to Air Suns The Arizona Republic June 27 1968 p 67 Archived from the original on September 25 2021 Retrieved September 24 2021 Suns sign 5 year pact with KTAR TV The Arizona Republic May 14 1979 p D 4 Archived from the original on September 25 2021 Retrieved September 24 2021 Wilkinson Bud May 24 1985 Channel 15 Phoenix Suns agree on pact for 85 86 season The Arizona Republic p F12 Archived from the original on September 25 2021 Retrieved September 24 2021 Arizona Cardinals preseason games to be available on NBC locally Revenge of the Birds SB Nation Archived from the original on August 15 2017 Retrieved August 15 2017 Wilkinson Bud December 19 1985 NewsCenter 10 retains top rating in Valley market The Arizona Republic p F5 Archived from the original on September 25 2021 Retrieved September 24 2021 R Cordova December 28 2006 Signing off Arizona Republic Archived from the original on September 25 2021 Retrieved January 3 2007 Channel 12 hires weather anchor Arizona Republic Phoenix Arizona August 24 1994 p Downtown South Community 6 Retrieved June 6 2022 via Newspapers com Price Hardy August 10 1979 KOOL newscaster Kent Dana to replace Hambrick at KPNX The Arizona Republic p D 6 Archived from the original on September 25 2021 Retrieved September 24 2021 Goodykoontz Bill May 25 2004 Sean McLaughlin to leave Channel 12 to work for MSNBC The Arizona Republic p B1 Archived from the original on September 25 2021 Retrieved September 25 2021 Price Hardy May 16 1979 Travolta turns fight fan The Arizona Republic p C 2 Archived from the original on September 25 2021 Retrieved September 24 2021 Ric Romero bio KABC TV Archived from the original on August 23 2011 Retrieved March 12 2013 John Christian Hopkins May 9 2007 Mary Kim Titla to run for Arizona Congress Gallup Independent Archived from the original on October 5 2007 Retrieved December 25 2007 Knight Michael May 26 2016 Arizona connections to the 100th Indy 500 The Arizona Republic Archived from the original on September 25 2021 Retrieved September 25 2021 RabbitEars TV Query for KPNX rabbitears info Archived from the original on March 16 2016 Scripps KASW 3 0 Request for Modification of Special Temporary Authority STA FCC Licensing and Management System June 29 2021 Archived from the original on July 10 2021 Retrieved July 10 2021 DTV Transition Status Report FCC CDBS Database February 19 2008 Retrieved December 14 2008 DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and Second Rounds PDF Archived from the original PDF on August 29 2013 Retrieved March 24 2012 How to rescan your antenna TV to watch 12 News your local NBC affiliate 12 News June 2 2021 Archived from the original on August 14 2021 Retrieved September 25 2021 List of TV Translator Input Channels Federal Communications Commission July 23 2021 Archived from the original on December 9 2021 Retrieved December 17 2021 External links editOfficial website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title KPNX amp oldid 1185996845, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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