Slogan On Your Side | Translators 29 K29GV-D Hagerman | |
Branding KSAW ABC 51 (general)
6 On Your Side (newscasts) Channels Digital: 15 (UHF)
Virtual: 51 (PSIP) Subchannels 51.1 ABC
51.2 Laff
51.3 Escape Owner E. W. Scripps Company
(Scripps Broadcasting Holdings, LLC) | ||
KSAW-LD is the low-powered ABC-affiliated television station for the Magic Valley in the U.S. state of Idaho. Licensed to Twin Falls, it broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 15 (virtual channel 51) from a transmitter east of Jerome. The station can also be seen on Cable One channel 3 and in high definition on digital channel 455. Owned by the E. W. Scripps Company, KSAW has an advertising sales office in the Blue Lakes Office Park on Falls Avenue in Twin Falls (housed in the same building as the local offices of NBC outlet KTFT-LD).
Although identifying as a separate station in its own right, KSAW is actually considered a semi-satellite of KIVI-TV in Boise. It clears all network and syndicated programming as provided through its parent, though with some programming carried on KSAW at different times. There are also some programs that only air on KSAW while some only air on KIVI. KSAW also airs separate legal identifications and commercial inserts that target the Magic Valley. Master control and most other internal operations originate from KIVI's studios on East Chisholm Drive in Nampa (along I-84/U.S. 30/SH-55).
KSAW's digital signal simulcasts KIVI's two digital subchannels (carrying Laff and Escape), however, neither one is carried on the Cable ONE system in Twin Falls. KSAW operates a low-powered digital translator of its own, K29GV-D channel 29, in Hagerman. This airs from a transmitter northwest of the town on a ridge along the Snake River.
History
KKVI in Twin Falls was the Magic Valley's original ABC affiliate through its status as a full-powered satellite of KPVI in Pocatello. In January 1996, the parent station switched affiliations to NBC. Since that network was already seen in Twin Falls through KTFT (a low-powered semi-satellite of KTVB), KKVI became the area's first full-time Fox affiliate and switched its call sign to KXTF. The fourth television network was previously seen on that station during off-hours in a secondary nature. Due to the network affiliation changes in Twin Falls, KIVI's owner purchased KSAW and turned it into a low-powered semi-satellite.
On July 30, 2014, it was announced that the E. W. Scripps Company would acquire Journal Communications in an all-stock transaction. The combined firm will retain their broadcast properties, including KSAW, and spin off their print assets as Journal Media Group. The FCC approved the deal on December 12, 2014. It was approved by shareholders on March 11, 2015. It closed on April 1.
KSAW currently simulcasts all local news programs from KIVI except weeknights at 6. During the broadcasts, most coverage presented focuses on the greater Boise area although regional forecasts geared toward the Magic Valley are included in KIVI's weather segments.