Rising high above Austin, the KXAN-TV tower stands as a testament to broadcast history. Its story is deeply woven into the fabric of Central Texas news. KXAN-TV began its journey on February 12, 1965. It first broadcast as KHFI-TV on UHF channel 42.
Initially owned by the Kingsbury family, KHFI-TV was Austin’s second television station. The station joined NBC in 1966 after a brief period as an independent. In 1973, KHFI-TV became KTVV and moved to channel 36. The station boosted its transmitter power. It became the most powerful TV station in the Southwest.
LIN Broadcasting purchased KTVV in 1979. The call letters changed to KXAN-TV on October 15, 1987. The new call sign referenced KXAS-TV in Fort Worth. KXAN-TV’s signal had reach issues in the Hill Country. LIN signed on KLNO in Llano in 1991 to improve coverage. That station later became KBVO.
KXAN-TV is one of two Austin stations to keep its original network affiliation. This was in the wake of a network swap between KTBC and KBVO in 1995. KBVO became KEYE-TV. In 2009, KBVO became a separate station with MyNetworkTV affiliation.
The current KXAN-TV tower was activated in 1996. It replaced an older structure from 1964. It is the tallest structure in Austin. The mast includes a camera. It provides views of downtown and the hills.
Media General acquired LIN in 2014. Nexstar Media Group acquired Media General in 2017. This marked Nexstar’s re-entry into Austin. They had previously managed KEYE-TV.
KXAN-TV broadcasts 31 hours of local news each week. For its first 30 years, KXAN-TV trailed KTBC in the ratings. Early newscasts mirrored WNBC in New York City. The station’s first number one rated newscast was News 36 Firstcast in 1990. By the late 1990s, KXAN-TV overtook KTBC for the lead. It now battles with KVUE for the top spot.
KXAN-TV began broadcasting local newscasts in high definition in 2008. In 2009, the station started a nightly 9 p.m. newscast on KNVA. In 2013, KXAN-TV added a two-hour extension of its morning newscast on KNVA.
KXAN-TV shut down its analog signal on June 12, 2009. This was part of the FCC-mandated transition to digital television. The station’s digital signal remained on channel 21. It used virtual channel 36.
KXAN-TV faced carriage disputes with Suddenlink Communications and Time Warner Cable. A dispute with Suddenlink in 2007 led to the station’s removal. The dispute was resolved in 2008. A dispute with Time Warner Cable in 2008 also led to KXAN-TV’s removal. It was restored after about a month.
KXAN-TV remains a vital source of news. Its commitment to Central Texas has solidified its place in Austin. From its humble beginnings to its current status, KXAN-TV’s journey reflects the evolution of television broadcasting in the region.