KTHV

The Arkansas Television Company, a consortium of various equity interests including KTHS (1090 AM), then located in Hot Springs; Radio Broadcasting Inc., a subsidiary of The Shreveport Times newspaper in Louisiana; the Arkansas Democrat Company; Clyde E. Lowry; and the National Equity Life Insurance Company of Little Rock, filed in July 1952 with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for the construction permit to build a new station on channel 4.{{Cite news|title=Second Little Rock Company Asks TV Permit From FCC|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/second-little-rock-company-asks-tv-permit-fcc/wthciimghgbhaplcjyuniujlaxqxjzue_wma-gateway016_1688579019707|page=8A|work=Arkansas Gazette|date=July 9, 1952|access-date=July 5, 2023|archive-date=July 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705175729/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/second-little-rock-company-asks-tv-permit-fcc/wthciimghgbhaplcjyuniujlaxqxjzue_wma-gateway016_1688579019707|url-status=live}} In February 1953, however, Arkansas Television Company changed its application from channel 4 to channel 11, an action that left station KARK alone in seeking channel 4.{{Cite news|page=1B|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/arkansas-amend-tv-station-petition-seek-channel-11/hzstodzlrlxbbozcrqgsfqoabjvhzdbr_wma-gateway009_1688577290486|title=Arkansans Amend TV Station Petition To Seek Channel 11|work=Arkansas Gazette|date=June 18, 1953|access-date=July 5, 2023|archive-date=July 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705175730/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/arkansas-amend-tv-station-petition-seek-channel-11/hzstodzlrlxbbozcrqgsfqoabjvhzdbr_wma-gateway009_1688577290486|url-status=live}} The field of competing applicants for the channel slowly winnowed. In August 1953, the Little Rock Television Company pulled out so its lead shareholder, J. D. Wrather, could focus on an application he had filed in Corpus Christi, Texas.{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/tv-channel-fight-reduced-2-way-affair/ysguyzkqgjmsbwbrtxqcmpetvygjkkdv_wma-gateway002_1673160873740|work=Arkansas Gazette|page=8|title=TV Channel Fight Reduced To 2-way Affair|date=August 28, 1953|agency=United Press|access-date=July 5, 2023|archive-date=July 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705171807/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/tv-channel-fight-reduced-2-way-affair/ysguyzkqgjmsbwbrtxqcmpetvygjkkdv_wma-gateway002_1673160873740|url-status=live}} Arkansas Telecasters withdrew on October 8, 1954, believing that its move would expedite the establishment of the station.{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/channel-11-applicant-unopposed/navxdxhvmcykkbzuixbygnsyqsdtsmga_wma-gateway013_1673160955344|page=2|title=Channel 11 Applicant Unopposed|work=Arkansas Democrat|date=October 9, 1954|agency=Associated Press|access-date=July 5, 2023|archive-date=July 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705171806/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/channel-11-applicant-unopposed/navxdxhvmcykkbzuixbygnsyqsdtsmga_wma-gateway013_1673160955344|url-status=live}} The withdrawal left Arkansas Television Company unopposed, and the FCC granted a construction permit for the station on January 4, 1955.{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/kthv-channel-11-goes-air-today/uenimwlbgtxajribouacgcdcceksahcj_wma-gateway019_1672796783180|page=12A|work=Arkansas Gazette|date=November 27, 1955|title=KTHV, Channel 11, Goes on Air Today|access-date=July 5, 2023|archive-date=July 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705171804/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/kthv-channel-11-goes-air-today/uenimwlbgtxajribouacgcdcceksahcj_wma-gateway019_1672796783180|url-status=live}}

KTHV began broadcasting on November 27, 1955. It served as an affiliate of CBS and ABC until April 1, 1956, when it became the exclusive CBS station as KATV's network affiliation contract expired.{{r|ArkG551127}} It provisionally occupied studio space in the KTHS building on Main Street until a new two-story facility housing KTHS and KTHV at Eighth and Izard streets were completed in March 1956.{{Cite news|page=3C|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/new-television-station-goes-air-two-weeks/rrvvlpohfqrpbvassviliekjrnazykfm_wma-gateway006_1672776061389|title=New Television Station Goes on Air in Two Weeks|date=November 13, 1955|work=Arkansas Gazette|access-date=July 5, 2023|archive-date=July 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705170423/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/new-television-station-goes-air-two-weeks/rrvvlpohfqrpbvassviliekjrnazykfm_wma-gateway006_1672776061389|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/ultra-modern-kthv-kths-studios-open-today-public-inspection/wbnbrfybustivlkrscwfguhmzbwpyctg_wma-gateway002_1688577188980|page=9D|work=Arkansas Democrat|date=May 20, 1956|title=Ultra-Modern KTHV-KTHS Studios Open Today for Public Inspection|access-date=July 5, 2023|archive-date=July 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705175728/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/ultra-modern-kthv-kths-studios-open-today-public-inspection/wbnbrfybustivlkrscwfguhmzbwpyctg_wma-gateway002_1688577188980|url-status=live}}

Ownership in the Arkansas Television Company changed in 1977 as the result of two transactions. In May, the Democrat Company—which had sold the newspaper of the same name to WEHCO Media in 1974—acquired shares from Lowry's estate. Three months later, Radio Broadcasting sold its 42-percent interest to several stockholders as well as new KTHV general manager Robert L. Brown Sr. after Gannett acquired The Shreveport Times. With these transactions, the Arkansas Television Company became fully owned by Arkansas interests.{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/33-million-sale-makes-tv-firm-locally-owned/gcidjpdzbqmlbnojevkdgkfmnhvhmcyl_wma-gateway003_1688577115665|page=8A|title=$3.3 Million Sale Makes TV Firm Locally Owned|work=Arkansas Gazette|date=August 24, 1977|access-date=July 5, 2023|archive-date=July 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705175726/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/33-million-sale-makes-tv-firm-locally-owned/gcidjpdzbqmlbnojevkdgkfmnhvhmcyl_wma-gateway003_1688577115665|url-status=live}} The key players were Stanley Berry and Marcus George, who were executors of the stock eventually held by the K. A. Engel Trust, set up by the former owner of the Democrat.{{r|ADG940930}}

The new management was led by Brown, who had set up KTHV's strong competition in the past. He had hired many of the market's most popular TV personalities when he ran KARK-TV in the late 1960s and early 1970s prior to being promoted by Combined Communications to the position of general manager at KPNX in Phoenix, Arizona. Brown hoped to reduce turnover in personnel by raising its traditionally lower salaries and pull the station out of its status as a distant third behind KATV and a dominant KARK; one joke circulated that the station was in fourth place, even though Little Rock only had three commercial TV stations.{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/new-kthv-president-ive-stacked-deck-against-myself/griwlxkzedppebdpantdffaktmmwfjly_wma-gateway006_1688880332361|title=New KTHV president: 'I've stacked deck against myself'|first=Steele|last=Hays|pages=1A, [https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/kthv/giyiwripvvprdiabmhxgkbwqkreahhrl_wma-gateway011_1688880250936 20A]|work=Arkansas Democrat|date=July 6, 1977|access-date=July 9, 2023|archive-date=July 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709064820/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/new-kthv-president-ive-stacked-deck-against-myself/griwlxkzedppebdpantdffaktmmwfjly_wma-gateway006_1688880332361|url-status=live}}

However, under Brown, KTHV never achieved the desired improvement, remaining a distant third in local news in Little Rock, though it was slightly more competitive in the Little Rock metro area as opposed to the full area of dominant influence.{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/competition-heats-news-game-shows/mdbkvuimcpgpzakcjmpvlletusmhkeja_wma-gateway005_1688881183831|page=3E|date=September 9, 1984|first=Jan|last=Meins|title=Competition heats up for news, game shows|work=Arkansas Democrat|access-date=July 9, 2023|archive-date=July 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709064821/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/competition-heats-news-game-shows/mdbkvuimcpgpzakcjmpvlletusmhkeja_wma-gateway005_1688881183831|url-status=live}} By 1990, it was the only one of the three major stations without a local newscast at 6 a.m. or 5 p.m.{{Cite news|page=2C|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/kark-katv-tied-6-and-10-pm-ac-nielsen-ratings-give-channel-4-edge-during-election-coverage/qwlgobyvshgjkqrcqfhkagfqoozkwrfx_wma-gateway019_1688881213484|first=Paul|last=Johnson|work=Arkansas Gazette|title=KARK, KATV tied at 6 and 10 p.m.; A.C. Nielsen ratings give Channel 4 edge during election coverage|date=December 19, 1990|access-date=July 9, 2023|archive-date=July 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709064821/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/kark-katv-tied-6-and-10-pm-ac-nielsen-ratings-give-channel-4-edge-during-election-coverage/qwlgobyvshgjkqrcqfhkagfqoozkwrfx_wma-gateway019_1688881213484|url-status=live}}

Rumors began to circulate in August 1994 that Gannett was about to buy KTHV; the deal would mark a return to the city for the company, which in addition to once owning KARK-TV shuttered the Arkansas Gazette in 1991. KTHV management denied the station had been sold but noted that interest had picked up in a purchase, with more suitors in six months than the preceding six years;{{Cite news|title=Rumors fill air, but KTHV says no sale|first=Leroy|last=Donald|work=Arkansas Democrat-Gazette|date=August 12, 1994|page=1D}} the deal was not officially announced until late September and consisted of a $27 million stock swap.{{Cite news|date=September 30, 1994|title=$27 million puts Gannett at controls of Channel 11|work=Arkansas Democrat-Gazette|first=Leroy|last=Donald|page=1A}} By this time, KTHV was a moneymaker, with no debt and making an estimated $6.2 million to $6.8 million in revenue a year.{{Cite news|first=Kris|last=Hunter|title=Gannett's return ignites changes in TV market |date=September 5, 1994|work=Arkansas Business|id={{Gale|A16094965}} }} At the time, KTHV made Little Rock Gannett's second-smallest market, behind Austin, Texas, which had higher revenue.{{r|AB940905}} When Gannett took over on December 1, 1994, general manager and minority owner Bob Brown immediately retired; he was 68, and Gannett had a mandatory retirement policy at 65. He was replaced by Paul Trelstad, who had been general sales manager of KPNX.{{Cite news|first=Leroy|last=Donald|page=1D|title='Sad' KTHV chief leaves; Gannett arrives|work=Arkansas Democrat-Gazette|date=December 1, 1994}}

File:KTHV-11.png

Gannett's first priority was to turn around the station's newscasts, which had been in third place for decades. Despite competent newsgathering and talent, the lack of resources for the newsroom resulted in a product few watched. Gannett began investing in needed technological upgrades to bring KTHV up to par.{{Cite news|title=Battle of the talking heads|page=1E|first=John|last=Brummett|work=Arkansas Democrat-Gazette|date=June 2, 1995}} From Trelstad's office, he could see a sign of another company, "Today's Office", on a nearby building. That got him thinking about a station in Milwaukee that had added "Today's" to its branding. The resulting rebrand to "Today's THV", implemented despite a negative response from a Gannett executive, also reduced call letter misspellings that brought KTHV closer to KATV.{{Cite news|page=1E|title=Cold noses for the news|first=John|last=Brummett|date=October 22, 1996|work=Arkansas Democrat-Gazette|quote=The soon-to-be-promoted Trelstadt showed a visitor that from his desk at 8th and Izard streets he could see the building logo of "Today's Office" on West 7th Street. Then he thought about a station in Milwaukee that began using "Today's" in front of its call letters.}} Other changes included new weekend sports coverage and a new male anchor, Larry Audas, to be paired with station stalwart Anne Jansen.{{r|ADG961022}}

On March 1, 1997, KTHV chief meteorologist Ed Buckner went on the air to cover a significant tornado outbreak that caused damage to much of Arkansas and produced destructive tornadoes. The coverage of the storm by Buckner and Tom Brannon, aided by an investment in Doppler weather radar,{{Cite news|page=1G|title=Money makers|first=Leroy|last=Donald|work=Arkansas Democrat-Gazette|date=July 27, 1997}} was a turning point for the station.{{cite news|title=KTHV Claims No. 1 at 10 p.m. as KATV Vows to Fight Back |work=Arkansas Business|first=Lance|last=Turner|id={{Gale|A73091034}}|date=April 2, 2001}}{{Cite news|first=Leroy|last=Donald|title=Ratings a new dawn for KTHV|date=August 31, 1997|page=1G|work=Arkansas Democrat-Gazette}}{{Cite news|page=8|first=Jim|last=Harris|title=Channel 11 goes on top at 10: The news is a new ratings leader|work=Arkansas Times|date=April 6, 2001|id={{ProQuest|204788059}} }} At the same time, KARK pivoted to a tabloid news approach which caused viewers to defect to KTHV.{{r|AB010402}} Ratings began to rise in 1997,{{r|ADG970831}} and in April 1999, KTHV surpassed an ailing KARK at 10 p.m. to pull into second place in late news for the first time in nearly 30 years. The event was cause for celebration in the KTHV studios, where signs and posters with the number 2 exclaimed the station's position.{{cite news|page=E8|title=Paper Trails: If you can't be with the one who's wedding, join the one who is |first=Carrie|last=Rengers|date=April 1, 1999|work=Arkansas Democrat-Gazette}}

KTHV continued to strengthen its hand when former morning radio DJ Craig O'Neill became the station's new evening sportscaster in 2000.{{r|ArkT010406}} In February 2001, KTHV had an outright win at 10 p.m., the first time KATV had not been in first place in a decade;{{r|AB010402}} however, channel 7 had the stronger early evening newscasts.{{Cite news|title=Paper trails: Feeling the difference – KTHV bumps KATV at 10|page=E6|first=Carrie|last=Rengers|date=April 8, 2001|work=Arkansas Democrat-Gazette}} KTHV and KATV continued to fight at 10 p.m. and in mornings through the 2000s,{{Cite news|title=Tussle at ten|first=Nate|last=Hinkel|date=July 4, 2005|work=Arkansas Business|id={{Gale|A134388179}} }}{{Cite news|first=Mark|last=Hengel|date=January 5, 2009|title=The rundown|work=Arkansas Business|id={{Gale|A195753557}} }} though KATV had regained the lead in both time slots by 2012,{{Cite news|first=Kate|last=Knable|title=KATV reigns king in the May Nielsens |date=June 25, 2012|work=Arkansas Business|id={{Gale|A296161373}} }} leaving KTHV second in ratings and revenue.{{r|BC131006}}

On April 6, 2009, KTHV expanded its 6 p.m. newscast to one hour with the addition of a half-hour newscast at 6:30 p.m., the only such newscast in the market at the time.{{cite news |url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/190797-KTHV_to_Launch_6_30_P_M_News.php |title=KTHV to Launch 6:30 P.M. News |date=March 28, 2009 |work=Broadcasting & Cable |access-date=March 10, 2011 |archive-date=October 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002151630/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/190797-KTHV_to_Launch_6_30_P_M_News.php |url-status=dead }} On April 3, 2010, the station debuted a two-hour Saturday morning newscast, competing with KATV.{{cite news |url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/blog/Station_to_Station/30964-KTHV_Launches_6_A_M_Saturday_Cast.php |title=KTHV Launches 6 A.M. Saturday 'Cast|work=Broadcasting & Cable |access-date=March 10, 2011 |archive-date=April 7, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100407224051/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/blog/Station_to_Station/30964-KTHV_Launches_6_A_M_Saturday_Cast.php |url-status=dead }}

File:Faith Abubey of KTHV-DT during a live television broadcast.jpg

On September 13, 2010, KTHV moved its weekday morning newscast to 4:30 a.m., expanding it to 2½ hours and becoming the first television station in Arkansas to start its weekday morning newscast before 5 a.m.{{cite news |url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/2010/09/13/45217/kthv-adds-30-minutes-to-this-morning |title=KTHV Adds 30 Minutes To 'This Morning' |work=TVNewsCheck |date=September 13, 2010 |access-date=March 10, 2011 |archive-date=July 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709064842/https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/kthv-adds-30-minutes-to-this-morning/ |url-status=live }} KTHV was also first in the market and the state with local high definition newscasts, which debuted that December.{{cite news |url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/2010/09/09/45137/kthv-introducing-local-news-in-high-def |title=KTHV Introducing Local News In High Def |publisher=TVNewsCheck.com |date=September 9, 2010 |access-date=March 10, 2011 |archive-date=July 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709064855/https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/kthv-introducing-local-news-in-high-def/ |url-status=live }} The station's branding was amended (along with the introduction of a new logo) in February 2013, being revised to "THV11".{{Cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/market-eye-big-change-little-rock-127629|work=Broadcasting & Cable|first=Michael|last=Malone|date=October 6, 2013|title=Market Eye: Big Change in Little Rock|access-date=July 8, 2023|archive-date=November 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127081823/https://www.nexttv.com/news/market-eye-big-change-little-rock-127629|url-status=live}}

On June 29, 2015, Gannett's broadcasting division split from the newspaper division and renamed its broadcasting and digital divisions under the Tegna name (KTHV was included in the transaction to Tegna).{{Cite web|title = Separation of Gannett into two public companies completed|date = June 29, 2015|url = http://www.tegna.com/separation-of-gannett-into-two-public-companies-completed/|publisher = Tegna|access-date = June 29, 2015|archive-date = July 2, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150702005302/http://www.tegna.com/separation-of-gannett-into-two-public-companies-completed/|url-status = live}} In 2019, a new news set debuted as well as two new programs: a refreshed morning newscast, Wake Up Central, and an evening lifestyle program, 630 Central.{{cite news|title=New Set at Channel 11, But Many Familiar Faces |first=Kyle|last=Massey|work=Arkansas Business|date=October 28, 2019|id={{Gale|A607065190}} }}

• Alyse Eady – anchor, 2012–2016{{Cite news|url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/alyse-eady-takes-gurvir-dhindsa-spot-good-day-atlanta/DlGsnoBeUDfwggcABI0OjN/|work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|first=Rodney|last=Ho|date=July 21, 2016|title=Alyse Eady takes Gurvir Dhindsa's spot on 'Good Day Atlanta'}}
• T. J. Holmes – anchor/reporter, 2000–2003{{cite news|title=TV anchor says living the dream|date=January 31, 2021|work=Arkansas Democrat-Gazette|first=Sean|last=Clancy|url=https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2021/jan/31/tv-anchor-says-living-the-dream/}}
• B. J. Sams – anchor, 1982–2009{{Cite news|page=Arkansas 9|title=Broadcaster on air for a half-century|first=Linda|last=Caillouet|work=Arkansas Democrat-Gazette|date=May 6, 2009}}

The station's signal is multiplexed:

In April 2002, KTHV became the first television station in the Little Rock market to broadcast a digital television signal.{{cite news|title=TV stations slow to digital switch|page=61|first=Dan|last=Zehr|work=Arkansas Democrat-Gazette|date=April 28, 2002}} It was also the first station to begin broadcasting a second subchannel, in 2006.{{Cite news|work=Arkansas Business|first=Nate|last=Hinkel|date=March 6, 2006|id={{Gale|A143527183}}|title=The deuce}} The analog channel on VHF channel 11 ceased regular programming 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. The station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition VHF channel 12, using virtual channel 11.{{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}}{{cite news |url=http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/251640/ |title=LR station won't delay digital shift |work=Arkansas Democrat-Gazette|first=L. Lamor|last=Williams|date=February 7, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212115329/http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/251640/ |archive-date=February 12, 2009}} The analog signal briefly continued to operate as a "nightlight" station to provide transition assistance as part of the SAFER Act.{{cite web|url=http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-291375A1.pdf|title=UPDATED List of Participants in the Analog Nightlight Program|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|date=June 12, 2009|access-date=June 4, 2012|archive-date=February 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201225603/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/wnbc-ch-4-trims-promo-featuring-nypd-commissioner-ray-kelly-super-bowl-airing-article-1.1018204|url-status=live}}

{{reflist}}

• [https://www.thv11.com/ Official website]

{{LRTV}}

{{CBS Arkansas}}

{{Tegna}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kthv}}

Category:1955 establishments in Arkansas

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Category:Court TV affiliates

Category:Former Gannett subsidiaries

Category:Ion Television affiliates

Category:Quest (American TV network) affiliates

Category:Tegna Inc.

Category:Television channels and stations established in 1955

THV

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