KOLD-TV

In the wake of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) lifting its freeze on the award of new television stations, three Tucson radio stations applied for three channels. The Old Pueblo Broadcasting Company, held by Gene Autry and Tom Chauncey and owner of Tucson's KOPO (1450 AM) and owned by Gene Autry and Tom Chauncey, filed for channel 13 without opposition on June 21, 1952, and was granted a construction permit to build on November 12.{{Cite web|url= https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=85242 |title= History Cards for KOLD-TV|publisher=Federal Communications Commission}} (Guide to reading History Cards){{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104397213/2-tv-stations-authorized-in-tucson/|date=November 14, 1952|page=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104397246/ 12A]|title=2 TV Stations Authorized in Tucson|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 25, 2022|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625220106/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104397213/2-tv-stations-authorized-in-tucson/|url-status=live}} Construction got under way in early December on an interim transmitter facility mounted on the AM radio tower, as {{convert|500|ft|m|adj=on}} towers were not yet available,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104397344/construction-near-on-tv-one-station-rea/|date=December 4, 1952|page=29|first=Norman|last=Harrington|title=Construction Near On TV; One Station Readies Tower|newspaper=Tucson Daily Citizen|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 25, 2022|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625220108/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104397344/construction-near-on-tv-one-station/|url-status=live}} and on a television addition to the KOPO radio facility on West Drachman Street.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104397408/permit-for-tv-given-to-kcna/|date=December 19, 1952|page=8A|title=Permit for TV Given to KCNA|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 25, 2022|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625220106/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104397408/permit-for-tv-given-to-kcna/|url-status=live}}

On January 13, 1953, at 1:13:13 p.m. (13:13:13 in 24-hour time), the KOPO-TV transmitter was turned on.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104397671/kopo-tv-airs-first-telecast-with-no-13/|date=January 14, 1953|page=20|title=KOPO-TV Airs First Telecast With No. 13 In Starring Role|newspaper=Tucson Daily Citizen|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 25, 2022|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625220106/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104397671/kopo-tv-airs-first-telecast-with-no-13/|url-status=live}} As construction in the television studio was still in progress, no programming was aired{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104397631/kopo-tv-expects-to-have-most-powerful-st/|date=January 12, 1953|page=21|first=Norman|last=Harrington|title=KOPO-TV Expects To Have Most Powerful Station: Feb. 1 Is Set For First Local Casts|newspaper=Tucson Daily Citizen|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 25, 2022|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625220107/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104397631/kopo-tv-expects-to-have-most-powerful/|url-status=live}} until February 1, when the station began to carry programs from CBS and the DuMont Television Network. The day before, a dedicatory program was broadcast from the studios.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104398325/sunday-to-see-kopo-tv-debut-columbia-pr/|date=January 31, 1953|page=2A|title=Sunday To See KOPO-TV Debut: Columbia Program Will Inaugurate Start of Television Here|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 25, 2022|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625220109/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104398325/sunday-to-see-kopo-tv-debut-columbia/|url-status=live}} Network presentations had to be aired from kinescopes until a coaxial cable hookup was completed in September to be shared by KOPO-TV and new station KVOA-TV, allowing Tucsonans to see live network shows.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104414980/cable-will-mean-more-shows/|date=September 26, 1953|page=24|title=Cable Will Mean More Shows|newspaper=Tucson Daily Citizen|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 25, 2022|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625220107/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104414980/cable-will-mean-more-shows/|url-status=live}}

KOPO radio and television became KOLD radio and television on April 30, 1957.{{r|hc}} The KOLD call letters had been used by the Autry-owned station in Yuma until it was sold; that outlet became KOFA and closed in 1963. Autry and Chauncey owned KOOL radio and television in Phoenix; as was done there, the phones were answered "It's KOLD in Tucson".{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104414808/tucson-tv-kold/|date=June 25, 1995|page=10-I|first=Tom|last=Turner|title=Tucson TV: KOLD|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 25, 2022|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625220109/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104414808/tucson-tv-kold/|url-status=live}}) The main transmitter was moved to Mount Bigelow in 1961, simultaneously with KVOA-TV; KGUN-TV had been built on the mountain five years prior.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/34861806/kold-tv-joins-move-to-bigelow-tomorrow/|date=September 30, 1961|page=2|title=KOLD-TV Joins Move To Bigelow Tomorrow|newspaper=Tucson Citizen|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 25, 2022|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625064843/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/34861806/kold-tv-joins-move-to-bigelow-tomorrow/|url-status=live}}

In December 1968, Autry and Chauncey announced the sale of KOLD-TV, separate from the radio station, for $3.8 million to the Universal Communications Corporation, the broadcasting arm of the Detroit-based Evening News Association.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104400722/kold-tv-sold-to-detroit-firm/|date=December 11, 1968|page=27|title=KOLD-TV Sold To Detroit Firm|newspaper=Tucson Daily Citizen|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 25, 2022|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625220109/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104400722/kold-tv-sold-to-detroit-firm/|url-status=live}} The FCC approved of the deal in 1969, though it required the E. W. Scripps Trust to divest itself of its holding in the Evening News Association, as Scripps-Howard Broadcasting owned four VHF stations (of a limit of five), and Evening News now would own two (KOLD-TV and WWJ-TV in Detroit).{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104400880/41-million-tag-kold-tv-sale-given-app/|date=May 29, 1969|page=2A|agency=Associated Press|title=$4.1 Million Tag: KOLD-TV Sale Given Approval|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 25, 2022|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625220110/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104400880/41-million-tag-kold-tv-sale-given/|url-status=live}} The commission tweaked the ruling to allow Scripps to retain an interest of one percent.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104400966/fcc-eases-ruling-on-sale-of-tucson-tv/|date=June 20, 1969|page=11|title=FCC eases ruling on sale of Tucson TV|newspaper=Arizona Republic|location=Phoenix, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 25, 2022|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625220110/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104400966/fcc-eases-ruling-on-sale-of-tucson-tv/|url-status=live}} The radio station, split from channel 13, reverted to its former KOPO designation.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104401055/kold-tv-sold-radio-again-kopo/|date=July 3, 1969|page=★1|title=KOLD-TV Sold; Radio Again KOPO|newspaper=Tucson Daily Citizen|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 25, 2022|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625220110/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104401055/kold-tv-sold-radio-again-kopo/|url-status=live}}

The Gannett Company purchased the Evening News Association on September 5, 1985, for $717 million,{{Cite web|date=September 2, 1985|title=Gannett's magic touch wins Evening News|url=http://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/85-OCR/BC-1985-09-02-OCR-Page-0031.pdf|url-status=live|access-date=July 29, 2021|pages=31, [http://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/85-OCR/BC-1985-09-02-OCR-Page-0032.pdf 32]|via=World Radio History|periodical=Broadcasting|archive-date=July 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721005620/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/85-OCR/BC-1985-09-02-OCR-Page-0031.pdf}}{{Cite news |last=Mary Jo Nelson |date=August 28, 1985 |title=Gannett May Bid For ENA Control |work=The Daily Oklahoman |url=http://newsok.com/article/2119336 |access-date=October 2, 2017 |archive-date=July 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731044318/https://www.oklahoman.com/article/2119336/gannett-may-bid-for-ena-control |url-status=live }} thwarting a $566 million hostile takeover bid by L.P. Media Inc., owned by television producer Norman Lear and media executive A. Jerrold Perenchio.{{Cite web |date=August 5, 1985 |title=Lear, Perenchio make $1,000-share bid for ENA |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1985/BC-1985-08-05.pdf |via=World Radio History |periodical=Broadcasting |pages=24–26 |access-date=July 22, 2021 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308030942/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1985/BC-1985-08-05.pdf |url-status=live }} The merged company could not retain channel 13. Gannett already owned the Tucson Citizen newspaper, and channel 13's signal slightly overlapped with Gannett-owned KPNX in Phoenix.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104401642/fcc-regulations-disqualify-gannett-from/|date=August 30, 1985|page=1F|title=FCC regulations disqualify Gannett from taking ownership of KOLD-TV|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 25, 2022|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625220110/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104401642/fcc-regulations-disqualify-gannett-from/|url-status=live}} Gannett subsequently divested KOLD-TV—along with KTVY in Oklahoma City and WALA-TV in Mobile, Alabama—to Knight-Ridder Broadcasting for $160 million.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-oklahoman-gannett-sells-ktvy-t/157064808/|date=November 16, 1985|page=21|title=Gannett Sells KTVY To Knight-Ridder|first=Mary Jo|last=Nelson|newspaper=Saturday Oklahoman & Times|location=Oklahoma City, Oklahoma|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 13, 2024}}{{Cite news|title=Knight-Ridder agrees to purchase KTVY-TV|work=Journal Record|date=October 16, 1985|via=ProQuest|id={{ProQuest|258986810}} }}{{Cite web |date=November 18, 1985 |title=In Brief |url=http://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/85-OCR/BC-1985-11-18-OCR-Page-0126.pdf |page=126 |via=World Radio History |periodical=Broadcasting |access-date=June 26, 2020 |archive-date=June 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629113425/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/85-OCR/BC-1985-11-18-OCR-Page-0126.pdf |url-status=live }}

In October 1988, Knight-Ridder announced its intent to sell the company's station group to help reduce a $929 million debt load{{Cite news |date=February 18, 1989 |title=Owner Negotiating Sale of Channel 4 |work=The Daily Oklahoman |url=http://newsok.com/article/2256215 |access-date=October 2, 2017 |archive-date=July 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731044508/https://www.oklahoman.com/article/2256215/owner-negotiating-sale-of-channel-4 |url-status=live }} and finance a $353 million acquisition of online information provider Dialog Information Services.{{Cite news |date=October 4, 1988 |title=Stations to Be Sold, Including Channel 4 |work=The Daily Oklahoman |url=http://newsok.com/article/2241238 |access-date=October 2, 2017 |archive-date=July 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731044602/https://www.oklahoman.com/article/2241238/stations-to-be-sold-including-channel-4 |url-status=live }} The News-Press & Gazette Company (NPG) acquired KOLD on June 26, 1989, spending $18 million.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104402704/kold-tv-purchase-price-18-million-says/|date=February 24, 1989|page=17B|title=KOLD-TV purchase price $18 million, says buyer|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 25, 2022|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625220117/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104402704/kold-tv-purchase-price-18-million/|url-status=live}} It implemented budget cuts in the newsroom, which was wracked by employee turnover as a result.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77134313/lean-times-at-kold/|date=March 29, 1990|pages=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59816321/lean-times-for-kolds-news-operation/ 3B]|first=Dan|last=Sorenson|title=Lean times at KOLD|newspaper=Tucson Citizen|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 25, 2022|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625220117/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77134313/lean-times-at-kold/|url-status=live}} NPG also moved KOLD from Mount Bigelow to the Tucson Mountains west of the city; this improved reception in some parts of the city that had terrain blockages, but it created signal ingress issues for cable subscribers. More critically, it impaired the signal for many over-the-air viewers, notably in outlying areas such as Benson, Arizona. A 1985 study done for KVOA, KGUN, and KOLD estimated a Tucson Mountains move would affect 15 percent of the station's viewers.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104403725/southeast-ariz-man-irate-about-loss-of/|date=March 14, 1991|page=4B|first=Dan|last=Huff|title=Southeast Ariz. man irate about loss of KOLD signal|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 25, 2022|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625220117/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104403725/southeast-ariz-man-irate-about-loss-of/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104403761/channel-13s-unlucky-new-signal-is-not-g/|date=April 4, 1991|page=13A|first=Peter|last=Bronson|title=Channel 13's unlucky new signal is not good news|newspaper=Tucson Citizen|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 25, 2022|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625220118/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104403761/channel-13s-unlucky-new-signal-is-not/|url-status=live}}{{r|Ariz950503}}

In 1993, New Vision Television, a new broadcast station group based in Lansing, Michigan, bought NPG's entire television station group of the time, which included KOLD and stations in five other markets.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104403830/broadcast-group-buys-kold-tv-7-other-st/|date=July 9, 1993|page=8B|first=Roderick|last=Gary|title=Broadcast group buys KOLD-TV, 7 other stations|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 25, 2022|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625220120/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104403830/broadcast-group-buys-kold-tv-7-other/|url-status=live}} New Vision took over before the end of the year and immediately made moves to shore up flagging employee morale at KOLD. In addition to a new general manager, New Vision began planning for a new facility on Tucson's northwest side with nearly twice as much space as the Drachman facility, which the station had outgrown.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104403913/kolds-management-eager-to-upgrade-stati/|date=January 10, 1994|page=4B, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104403886/kold/ 6B]|first=Frank|last=Cermak|title=KOLD's management eager to upgrade station's facilities|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 25, 2022|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625220119/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104403913/kolds-management-eager-to-upgrade/|url-status=live}} The new facility, outfitted with a news studio called the "Newsplex", debuted in late 1994, before New Vision sold its stations to Ellis Communications in 1995; Ellis was in turn folded into Raycom Media in 1997.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77134320/kolds-new-look-executive-foresees-brig/|date=May 3, 1995|page=1D, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77134325/kold/ 3D]|first=Tom|last=Turner|title=KOLD's new look: Executive foresees bright future|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 25, 2022|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625220120/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77134320/kolds-new-look-executive-foresees/|url-status=live}} Raycom would house its centralized design operation, Raycom Design Group, in Tucson.{{cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/graphic-consolidation-72167|date=August 17, 2007|work=Broadcasting & Cable|title=Graphic Consolidation|first=Glen|last=Dickson|access-date=June 25, 2022|archive-date=September 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930190942/https://www.nexttv.com/news/graphic-consolidation-72167|url-status=live}}

On November 15, 2011, the Belo Corporation, then-owner of local Fox affiliate KMSB and MyNetworkTV affiliate KTTU, announced that it would enter into a shared services agreement (SSA) with Raycom Media beginning in February 2012, resulting in KOLD taking over the two stations' operations and moving their advertising sales department to the KOLD studios. All remaining positions at KMSB and KTTU, including news, engineering and production, were eliminated, and master control operations moved from Belo's KTVK in Phoenix to KOLD. Though FCC rules disallow common ownership of more than two stations in the same market, combined SSA/duopoly operations are permissible.{{cite news|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/2011/11/15/55453/belo-turning-over-kmsb-kttu-to-kold|title=Belo Turning Over KMSB, KTTU To KOLD|work=TVNewsCheck|date=November 15, 2011|access-date=November 16, 2011|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625220121/https://www.insidetucsonbusiness.com/news/belo-to-shut-down-kmsb-fox-and-kttu-kold-to/article_ca805f3c-0fbd-11e1-b47c-001cc4c002e0.html|url-status=live}}

In 2018, Raycom Media was acquired by Gray Television. The $3.6 billion transaction gave Gray its first station in Arizona. The arrangements with KMSB and KTTU remained unchanged.{{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=October 6, 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}}{{cite web|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/gray-to-buy-raycom-for-3-6-billion/|title=Gray To Buy Raycom For $3.6 Billion|last=Miller|first=Mark K.|work=TVNewsCheck|date=June 25, 2018|access-date=June 25, 2018}}{{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|date=June 25, 2018|access-date=December 11, 2018|archive-date=August 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810183153/https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/gray-buying-raycom-for-3-6b|url-status=live}}{{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|access-date=October 6, 2018|archive-date=August 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826073827/https://deadline.com/2018/06/grey-acquiring-raycom-for-3-65-billion-forming-no-3-local-tv-group-1202416667/|url-status=live}} The sale was approved on December 20 of that year{{cite news|url=https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/fcc-ok-with-gray-raycom-merger|title=FCC OK with Gray/Raycom Merger|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=December 20, 2018|access-date=July 21, 2019|archive-date=April 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405165927/https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/fcc-ok-with-gray-raycom-merger|url-status=live}} and was completed on January 2, 2019.{{cite news|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|date=January 2, 2019|access-date=July 21, 2019|archive-date=January 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103060110/https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/227754/gray-closes-3-6-billion-raycom-merger/|url-status=live}}

File:Ann Patrick on KOLD-TV.jpg as a guest.|alt=Refer to caption]]

Originally, local news programming for KOPO-TV/KOLD-TV was provided by KOOL-TV in Phoenix.{{r|Ariz950625}} However, by the 1960s, the station was leading the news ratings in the Tucson market, a status it would hold until the late 1970s, when KVOA took the lead.{{cite news|url=https://www.insidetucsonbusiness.com/media_technology/inside_media/what-goes-around-goes-around-again-in-tv-news-ratings/article_120eac9a-10d5-11e3-93b7-0019bb2963f4.html|work=Inside Tucson Business|first=David|last=Hatfield|title=What goes around, goes around again in TV news ratings|date=August 30, 2013|access-date=June 25, 2022|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625064833/https://www.insidetucsonbusiness.com/media_technology/inside_media/what-goes-around-goes-around-again-in-tv-news-ratings/article_120eac9a-10d5-11e3-93b7-0019bb2963f4.html|url-status=live}} The station continued in second or third place for the next quarter-century, with the station reaching a nadir after being acquired by News-Press & Gazette. Budget cuts meant outdated equipment that broke down,{{r|Ariz950503}} while a series of anchors were fired and replaced with cheaper, entry-level talent. Vic Caputo, who had spent seven years at channel 13, was released by his contract in a decision he attributed to the owners' "money crunch".{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104403400/kold-and-anchor-vic-caputo-reach-a/|date=September 30, 1989|page=7B|first=Bonnie|last=Henry|title=KOLD and anchor Vic Caputo reach a parting of the ways|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 25, 2022|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625223206/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104403400/kold-and-anchor-vic-caputo-reach-a/|url-status=live}} NPG fired sports anchor Kevin McCabe days before Christmas{{r|Tucs910404}} in a dispute that led to a lawsuit over severance pay.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104403690/mccabe-sues-kold-for-severance-pay/|date=April 19, 1990|page=1D|title=McCabe sues KOLD for severance pay|newspaper=Tucson Citizen|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 25, 2022|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625223208/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104403690/mccabe-sues-kold-for-severance-pay/|url-status=live}} Weatherman Pat Evans was told that there was a "big plan" for him, but when he asked, they would not reveal it; he declined to sign a new contract and took a new job in Sacramento, California.{{r|Tucs900329}}

In the late 1990s, KOLD-TV became Tucson's first station to operate a news helicopter.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104415280/wkmg-hires-new-general-manager/|date=April 12, 2000|page=B-1|first=Jim|last=Abbott|title=WKMG hires new general manager|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 25, 2022|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625220121/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104415280/wkmg-hires-new-general-manager/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104415534/channel-13-opts-to-ditch-helicopter-it-t/|date=February 21, 2001|page=B4|first=Rob|last=Bailey|title=Channel 13 opts to ditch helicopter it touted heavily|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 25, 2022|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625220120/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104415534/channel-13-opts-to-ditch-helicopter-it/|url-status=live}} Despite these improvements, newscast ratings continued to languish far behind the other two major stations, with channel 13 drawing half as many news viewers, into the 2000s.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104415472/local-tv-news-caught-up-in-survival-stru/|date=November 13, 2000|page=B7|title=Local TV news caught up in survival struggle|first=Jim|last=Mitchell|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 25, 2022|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625220120/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104415472/local-tv-news-caught-up-in-survival/|url-status=live}} In 2001, the station won a Alfred I. duPont–Columbia University Award, given to Chip Yost for a story about exploding fuel tanks in police cars.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104423393/kold-reporter-wins-award-for-tv-news-ser/|date=December 21, 2001|page=B5|agency=Associated Press|title=KOLD reporter wins award for TV news series|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 25, 2022}} By 2004, KOLD had pulled ahead of KVOA in all evening timeslots in the 25–54 demo, a feat which had not occurred in Tucson in 25 years.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104415785/kvoa-falls-to-kold-in-news-race/|date=May 2, 2004|page=E1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104415868/ E3]|first=David|last=Hatfield|title=KVOA falls to KOLD in news race|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 25, 2022|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625220120/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104415785/kvoa-falls-to-kold-in-news-race/|url-status=live}} During this time, KOLD-TV also produced a 9 p.m. local newscast for KWBA-TV.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104415947/wb-news-at-9-signing-off-after-thursday/|date=December 11, 2005|page=E6|first=Erin|last=White|title=WB News at 9 signing off after Thursday|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 25, 2022|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625220120/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104415947/wb-news-at-9-signing-off-after-thursday/|url-status=live}} Not all were happy: anchor Randy Garsee was fired in 2006 after sending an email to all employees criticizing the news director for "micromanaging".{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104416015/kold-anchor-says-he-was-fired-for-email/|date=October 6, 2006|page=1|title=KOLD anchor says he was fired for email|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 25, 2022|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625220120/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104416015/kold-anchor-says-he-was-fired-for-email/|url-status=live}}

As part of taking over KMSB's operations, KOLD-TV took over production of its local 9 p.m. newscast and added a weekday morning newscast, with the existing KMSB news team laid off.{{cite news|url=http://www.mediabistro.com/tvspy/belo-shuts-down-kmsb-news-operations-dozens-of-layoffs-expected_b29282#more-29282|title=Belo Shuts Down KMSB News Operations; Dozens of Layoffs Expected|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111116170720/http://www.mediabistro.com/tvspy/belo-shuts-down-kmsb-news-operations-dozens-of-layoffs-expected_b29282#more-29282 |archive-date=November 16, 2011 |work=TVSpy|date=November 15, 2011}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report//111511_kmsb_newscast/|title=Fox 11 to lay off news staff, cancel newscast in Feb.|website=Tucson Sentinel|access-date=January 28, 2020|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625220124/https://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report/111511_kmsb_newscast/fox-11-lay-off-news-staff-cancel-newscast-feb/|url-status=live}} KMSB and KOLD also introduced a shared website, originally branded Tucson News Now.{{cite web|url=http://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/story/16644535/answering-your-questions-about-tucson-news-now|title=Answering Your Questions about Tucson News Now|publisher=Raycom Media|work=tucsonnewsnow.com|access-date=February 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120518233748/http://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/story/16644535/answering-your-questions-about-tucson-news-now|archive-date=May 18, 2012|url-status=dead}}

In 2022, Gray introduced new 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. newscasts for KOLD.{{Cite news|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/programming/article/kold-adds-9-a-m-and-3-p-m-newscasts/|work=TVNewsCheck|title=KOLD Adds 9 a.m. And 3 p.m. Newscasts|date=August 31, 2022|access-date=September 1, 2022}}

The station's signal is multiplexed:

{{legend|#E6FFF7|Simulcast of subchannels of another station}}

{{legend|#DFEBF6|Broadcast on behalf of another station}}

KOLD-TV ended regular programming on its analog signal, over VHF channel 13, on June 12, 2009, as part of the federally mandated transition from analog to digital television.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104416223/nearly-all-locals-prepared-for-digital-t/|date=June 13, 2009|page=A11, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104416233/ A12]|first=Phil|last=Villarreal|title=Nearly all locals prepared for digital TV|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 25, 2022|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625220122/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104416223/nearly-all-locals-prepared-for-digital/|url-status=live}} The station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition UHF channel 32, using virtual channel 13.{{Cite web |date=May 23, 2006 |title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and Second Rounds |url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829004251/http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |archive-date=August 29, 2013 |access-date=August 29, 2021 |publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}

While KOLD's analog signal originated from a transmitter site in the Tucson Mountains west of downtown, KOLD's primary digital transmitter is at the Mount Bigelow transmitter site to the northeast of the city, where the major Tucson stations built a common digital transmission facility in 2003.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104416947/mt-bigelow-blaze-threatening-to-darken/|date=July 4, 2003|page=4A|first=Oscar|last=Abeyta|title=Mt. Bigelow blaze threatening to darken local TVs|newspaper=Tucson Citizen|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 25, 2022|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625220121/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104416947/mt-bigelow-blaze-threatening-to-darken/|url-status=live}} The Tucson Mountains site was then converted to a digital replacement translator on channel 13 to provide service to the Catalina Foothills.{{cite web|url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1296906&Service=LD&Form_id=911&Facility_id=48663|publisher=FCC Consolidated Database System|title=Request for Special Temporary Authority|date=February 27, 2009|access-date=June 25, 2022|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625220127/https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101296906&formid=911&fac_num=48663|url-status=live}}

{{Reflist|group=nb}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.kold.com/ Official website]

{{TUC TV}}

{{CBS Arizona}}

{{Gray TV}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kold-Tv}}

Category:1953 establishments in Arizona

Category:CBS affiliates

Category:Charge! (TV network) affiliates

Category:Ion Plus affiliates

Category:Former Gannett subsidiaries

Category:Gray Media

Category:MeTV affiliates

Category:Television channels and stations established in 1953

OLD-TV