Affiliations ABC | ||
Branding KIII-TV 3 (general)3 News (newscasts)(pronounced "K-Triple I") Slogan More Local NewsThe South Texas News Leader Owner Tegna Media(LSB Broadcasting, Inc.) | ||
KIII is an ABC-affiliated television station in Corpus Christi, Texas. The station is owned by Tegna, Inc. KIII maintains studios located on South Padre Island Drive (SH 358) in Corpus Christi and its transmitter is located near Robstown, Texas.
Contents
History
The struggle to put channel 3 on the air in Corpus Christi started after KVDO-TV (channel 22, headed by Nestor Cuesta and Gabe Lozano and a handful of other local businessmen) went on air in 1954. They had limited success, and increasing trouble after two VHF stations – KRIS-TV (channel 6) and KZTV (channel 10) – went on the air in 1956.
KVDO petitioned the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to add a channel 3 allocation at Corpus Christi. Other cities also wanted it; however, following a lot of struggle, channel 3 was ultimately allocated to Corpus Christi. KVDO-TV then sold its license assets to McKinnon Broadcasting in exchange for an interest in the new KIII-TV, while the former KVDO facilities were sold to KRIS-TV. McKinnon then put KIII on the air May 3, 1964; it has always been an ABC affiliate.
In 1969, KIII started a satellite in Victoria, Texas, KXIX (channel 19), to bring ABC programming to that area. In 1976, KXIX was sold to local ownership. It now operates as Fox affiliate KVCT.
On April 29, 2010 it was announced that KIII would be acquired by London Broadcasting Company. which the sale was closed on August 31. On September 18, 2011, KIII began broadcasting newscasts in high definition.
On May 14, 2014, Gannett Company announced that it would acquire KIII and five other LBC stations for $215 million. Gannett's CEO Gracia Martore touted that the acquisition would give the company a presence in several fast-growing markets, and opportunities for local advertisers to leverage its digital marketing platform. The company also owns fellow Texas ABC affiliates WFAA and KVUE, which it had acquired in its purchase of Belo Corporation. The sale was completed on July 8. 13 months later, 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. KIII was retained by the latter company, named Tegna.
Digital channels
The station's digital channel is multiplexed:
Analog-to-digital conversion
KIII shut down its analog signal, over VHF channel 3, on June 12, 2009, the official date in which full-power television stations in the United States transitioned from analog to digital broadcasts under federal mandate. The station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition VHF channel 8. Through the use of PSIP, digital television receivers display the station's virtual channel as its former VHF analog channel 3.
Programming
KIII carries the entire ABC schedule; although it airs Jimmy Kimmel Live! and Nightline on a half-hour delay during high school football season. Syndicated programming on KIII includes: The Big Bang Theory, Live with Kelly, Wheel of Fortune, and Modern Family (in which both series also airing first run).