KOY-TV

KSAZ-TV

Company type	Television station
Industry	Broadcasting
Founded	October 24, 1953 (1953-10-24) in Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Headquarters	Phoenix, Arizona , United States
Area served	Phoenix metropolitan area
Owner	Fox Television Stations (Fox network)
Parent	Fox Television Stations

KSAZ-TV (channel 10) operates as a television station based in Phoenix, Arizona, United States. It is owned and managed by the Fox network through its Fox Television Stations division, alongside sister station KUTP (channel 45), which broadcasts MyNetworkTV content. Both stations are housed in shared studios located on West Adams Street in Downtown Phoenix, with KSAZ-TV’s transmitter situated on South Mountain.

As Phoenix’s third television outlet, channel 10 began broadcasting on October 24, 1953. Initially, it functioned as a shared-time channel between two Phoenix radio broadcasters, KOOL and KOY, both operating from the same facility. After spending a year as an independent, the station became the city’s first affiliate of the ABC in early 1954. Later that year, KOOL-TV acquired KOY-TV, transitioning to full-time operation. In 1955, it switched affiliation to CBS, quickly becoming Phoenix’s leading station under the ownership of Gene Autry and Tom Chauncey. A conflict in ownership led to its sale in 1982 to Gulf United Corporation; separated from its radio counterparts, it was renamed KTSP-TV. Though initially retaining its news dominance, KTSP experienced declining ratings during the late 1980s and early 1990s as competitor KTVK gained momentum by hiring key KTSP personnel. Internal staffing challenges further contributed to audience losses.

In February 1994, the station adopted the call letters KSAZ-TV. Three months later, amid a nationwide reshuffling of network affiliations driven by then-owner New World Communications, it announced its transition from CBS to Fox. Throughout a four-month period, Phoenix witnessed three network affiliation changes; KSAZ lost CBS programming in September 1994 but did not begin airing Fox shows until December. This switch triggered significant growth within the news department, introducing new morning and prime-time newscasts. Nevertheless, a brief independent period combined with programming errors caused notable declines in viewership, with some newscasts losing up to half their audience.

Following Fox’s acquisition of New World Communications' stations in 1996, operations stabilized and adopted a more dynamic presentation style aligned with Fox’s target audience. From 1999 through 2021, future Arizona gubernatorial and senatorial candidate Kari Lake served as a primary anchor. By 2020, KSAZ-TV was producing twelve hours of local news each weekday.

Shared-time period and formative years

During the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) lifting of its freeze on new television station licenses initiated in 1948, Phoenix was assigned channels 4 (later changed to channel 3), 5 (KPHO-TV, the only pre-freeze state station), 8, and 10 in 1951. The radio station KOOL (960 AM), affiliated with CBS radio, initially expressed interest in channel 7 but ultimately applied for channel 10 on September 27, 1951.

KOOL faced competition from KOY (550 AM), a Mutual Broadcasting System affiliate and one of Arizona’s oldest broadcasters, which submitted its channel 10 application in July 1952. To avoid lengthy comparative hearings before the FCC, both parties agreed in May 1953 to share broadcast time on channel 10—a method previously used in Rochester, New York—following FCC recommendations. They were both granted construction permits simultaneously and planned to alternate daytime and evening transmissions.

Although KOOL had ties to CBS radio, it was initially unable to secure a CBS television affiliation because KPHO-TV held rights to both CBS and ABC after KTYL-TV launched with NBC programming. Despite separate management and personnel, KOOL-TV and KOY-TV operated from shared facilities including a high-powered transmitter located atop South Mountain. Originally planning studio space near First Avenue and Roosevelt Street, they instead purchased a former automobile dealership at Fifth Avenue and Adams Street in July 1953 for their operations. Studio construction commenced in August; test patterns began airing by October 19, followed by the official launch on October 24 featuring KOOL majority owner Gene Autry.

Channel 10 started without network affiliation but secured an ABC affiliation by January 1954, completing Phoenix’s set of major network stations. However, KOY withdrew from the partnership in March 1954 when KOOL agreed to purchase its share for roughly $400,000. The FCC approved this transaction on May 5, allowing KOOL-TV sole control over channel 10 operations. All personnel were retained under KOOL-TV’s expanded management. This event marked the first termination of a post-freeze shared-time television arrangement.

CBS Affiliation and Ownership by Autry-Chauncey

KOOL-TV secured the CBS network affiliation for Phoenix on December 29, 1954, with the arrangement taking effect on June 15, 1955. This affiliation replaced KPHO-TV, whose two-year contract with CBS concluded at that time. KOOL radio was already linked with CBS, and Gene Autry maintained significant connections with CBS radio, television, and Columbia Records. Meanwhile, ABC transitioned to the newly launched KTVK (channel 3) on March 1, 1955.

Operating as a dedicated CBS affiliate, KOOL-TV broadcasted nearly the entire CBS lineup and featured Autry’s program Gene Autry's Melody Ranch. Tom Chauncey, a minority partner and owner of Phoenix’s largest Arabian horse ranch, was a committed supporter of the network. In addition to local news coverage, KOOL-TV developed original content such as the bilingual children’s program Niños Contentos and investigative shows Chapter 10 and Copperstate Cavalcade.

In 1971, Valley of the Sun Broadcasting Company, led by Del Webb, contested KOOL-TV’s license seeking to restore channel 10 ownership to Phoenix-based interests. However, prominent figures including Senators Barry Goldwater and Paul Fannin along with Governor Jack Williams backed KOOL for its dedication to public service and inclusion of minorities. Strong community support prompted the challengers to withdraw their claim within ten days. Subsequently, Chauncey acquired majority ownership after Autry divested his shares.

The year 1978 saw KOOL AM sold to Stauffer Communications, while the FM and television operations remained under the joint control of Autry and Chauncey. That same year, tensions arose between the partners; Autry reportedly attempted to arrange an option with Signal Oil to purchase Chauncey’s shares following his death. Meanwhile, Chauncey entered negotiations to buy out Autry but in April 1981, Autry sold half of his 48.11% interest to Gulf United Corporation based in Jacksonville, Florida.

In May 1981, Autry initiated a lawsuit against Chauncey accusing him of mismanaging KOOL Radio-Television assets and diverting funds toward personal ventures such as Arabian horses and aircraft. Chauncey responded with a countersuit alleging racketeering by Autry and Gulf United and claimed they pressured manager Homer Lane to relinquish his crucial stake. By late 1981, speculation intensified that Chauncey and Lane might sell their shares to Gulf United.

Gulf Acquisition, Taft Ownership, and Great American Era

On June 8, 1982, Gulf United Corporation and Tom Chauncey announced Gulf’s purchase of the remaining KOOL-TV shares; KOOL-FM remained with Chauncey as an independent entity. The competing lawsuits concluded following FCC approval of the transaction.

The deal finalized on October 1, 1982, ushering in significant changes at channel 10. The station’s call letters changed from KOOL-TV to KTSP-TV while KOOL-FM retained its original designation. Gulf asserted that KTSP represented "Tempe, Scottsdale, Phoenix," although it likely mirrored the call sign of Gulf-owned WTSP in St. Petersburg, Florida. General manager Homer Lane was replaced by Jack Sander from WTOL in Toledo, Ohio. Gulf invested in upgraded production technology to modernize KTSP and completed transmitter and tower enhancements on South Mountain that had been started under Chauncey’s tenure.

In 1985, Taft Broadcasting acquired Gulf Broadcasting along with KTSP-TV. Taft regarded the Phoenix market as highly valuable and secured an option to purchase KTSP-TV separately for $250 million if the full acquisition failed; KTSP-TV was the priciest asset Gulf sold. Shortly thereafter, several key executives left: Bill Miller, KTSP’s news director, was hired by KTVK as station manager while Phil Alvidrez moved from KTSP’s assistant news director role to lead KTVK’s newsroom. These personnel changes played a role in KTVK rising to market leadership during the late 1980s into the early 1990s.

Following a hostile takeover led by Carl Lindner, Taft reorganized as Great American Broadcasting on October 12, 1987. In 1988, KTSP nearly lost its CBS affiliation when CBS attempted to acquire KPHO from Meredith Corporation; however negotiations collapsed due to pricing disagreements.

Although subsidiaries of Great American Communications Corporation filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 1993, this did not affect their television or radio properties. On February 12, 1994, the station adopted new call letters KSAZ-TV to reflect its updated branding slogan "The Spirit of Arizona."

As a Fox affiliate

Following its emergence from bankruptcy, Great American Broadcasting, soon renamed Citicasters, decided to sell four of its stations—including KSAZ-TV—to alleviate debt and finance radio acquisitions. On May 5, 1994, New World Communications acquired KSAZ-TV along with stations in Kansas City, High Point, and Birmingham for $360 million.

Less than three weeks later, New World revealed plans to switch twelve of its fifteen stations from their Big Three network affiliations to Fox. Previously, Fox programming had aired on KNXV-TV. This realignment was largely influenced by Fox securing the NFL rights for the National Football Conference, strategically pairing New World’s former CBS affiliates—such as KSAZ and the Phoenix Cardinals—with NFC teams.

The transition unfolded in stages. On September 10, 1994, CBS returned to KPHO-TV after a 39-year absence from channel 10. During this period, KSAZ-TV functioned as an independent station, broadcasting movies and syndicated content while debuting new news programs. Fox programming officially moved to KSAZ on December 12.

Post-transition, KSAZ faced challenges reconciling its traditional image with Fox's programming style. News viewership declined sharply, exacerbated by the loss of strong lead-ins like Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune, as well as intensified competition from KTVK and KNXV. General manager Ron Bergamo resigned in June 1995 amid a 50% drop in key news time slots. Revenue across New World’s stations fell by approximately 15% after the affiliation switch; however, KSAZ suffered a more pronounced decline due to a three-month hiatus without network programming. Unlike most New World outlets, KSAZ opted out of Fox Kids programming, which subsequently moved first to KTVK and then to KASW (channel 61) in September 1995.

In July 1996, News Corporation acquired New World's ten Fox-affiliated stations; the deal concluded on January 22, 1997, officially designating KSAZ as a Fox owned-and-operated station. A planned exchange involving KSAZ and KTBC for Seattle’s KIRO-TV was considered in February 1997 but ultimately did not materialize. Fox enhanced KSAZ’s schedule by adding popular syndicated sitcoms such as M*A*S*H, Seinfeld, and King of the Hill, alongside court and reality shows. During the 2010s, Fox utilized KSAZ as a test market for new nationally syndicated programs like TMZ Live and The Real.

Fox Television Stations expanded its Phoenix presence by acquiring KUTP (channel 45) in 2001 through its purchase of United Television, establishing the market’s second television duopoly.

In 2006, Jordin Sparks earned an audition for American Idol after winning KSAZ’s "Arizona Idol" contest; she went on to win that season.

News operation

In 1964, Chauncey consolidated KOOL radio and television news under one division led by Bill Close, who brought 18 years of Phoenix broadcasting experience. By 1970, Close had grown the newsroom from six to twenty-three employees—the largest among Phoenix’s four news-producing stations—and added a news helicopter. Under his leadership, KOOL News 10 dominated local ratings; its 6 p.m. newscast once captured nearly half (46%) of Phoenix TV households, rivaling even the CBS Evening News. Close emphasized accuracy and professionalism while cultivating a strong newsroom ethos.

KOOL nurtured prominent talent who advanced within Phoenix media and beyond. In 1979, Kent Dana departed KOOL-TV for KPNX and later moved to KPHO. KOOL was also the first Phoenix television station to receive a Peabody Award in 1980 for its documentary The Long Eyes of Kitt Peak.

On May 28, 1982, Joseph Billie Gwin took four hostages at KOOL-TV demanding airtime nationwide. Anchor Bill Close read Gwin’s statement live on air while disarming him; Gwin surrendered peacefully but was later deemed legally insane. After parole, he reoffended before his release in 2006.

Following its rebranding as KTSP-TV, channel 10 maintained top ratings into the late 1980s until losing key anchors to competitor KTVK amid internal turmoil. Controversies included anchor Shelly Jamison’s exit after posing for Playboy and Karen Carns’ sudden dismissal in 1991. By February 1992, KTSP lost its lead at the 6 p.m. slot coinciding with Close’s retirement after nearly three decades.

After affiliating with Fox, KSAZ-TV expanded its news staff by about thirty employees and increased daily news output from three to seven hours—adding morning and late-night newscasts plus simulcasting KTAR’s McMahon Live. Despite these efforts, ratings declined and morale suffered; the morning show underwent retooling and McMahon's program was discontinued by early 1996.

In 1996, new news director Bill Berra revamped the station's presentation style to create a more intense feel—including introducing an emergency siren opening for the 10 p.m. newscast. Several anchors departed amid criticism over sensationalist coverage. In April 1997, Arizona Prime was replaced with Fox 10 News at Nine.

On April 1, 2009, Fox Television Stations partnered with E.W. Scripps Company to launch Local News Service (LNS), pooling resources for newsgathering; shortly afterward, KPHO-TV joined the collaboration. By 2020, all four English-language Phoenix TV newsrooms shared access to a single helicopter.

KSAZ continued extending its news programming: weekend morning newscasts were added in 2014; in 2018 it introduced a weekday hour at 4 p.m., extended the late evening newscast by thirty minutes at 10 p.m., and launched a nightly seven o’clock news hour on sister station KUTP. By 2020, weekday daily news production totaled twelve hours.

Phoenix also debuted LiveNow from Fox—an over-the-top streaming news service originally branded "Fox 10 News Now" starting November 2014 with seven hours of daily online content. By 2020 production was distributed among Fox stations in Phoenix, Orlando, and Los Angeles.

Distinguished Former On-Air Personnel

• Walker Edmiston – puppeteer and show host, 1962–1963
• Troy Hayden – anchor for morning and evening newscasts, 1994–2024
• J. D. Hayworth – sports anchor, 1987–1994
• Kari Lake – news anchor, 1999–2021
• Geoff Morrell – reporter, 1995–1996
• Anne Montgomery – sports reporter during the 1980s
• Vicky Nguyen – investigative journalist and contributor, 2004–2007
• Bob Petty – news anchor and reporter, 1970–1971
• Kinsey Schofield – reporter
• Siera Santos – sports anchor, 2020–2022
• Peter Van Sant – anchor and reporter, 1978–1982

Digital Subchannels

Broadcasting from South Mountain, KSAZ-TV transmits a multiplexed digital signal:

KSAZ-TV Digital Subchannels

Channel	Resolution	Aspect Ratio	Identifier	Content
10.1	720p	16:9	KSAZ-TV	Fox
10.3	480i		Heroes	Heroes & Icons
10.4			ROAR	Roar
10.5			FOX WX	Fox Weather
61.4	480i	16:9	HSN	HSN (KASW)

The virtual channel 10.2 duplicates KUTP's main channel (10.1) to serve viewers using UHF antennas. Additionally, three subchannels carry programming from KASW, Phoenix’s station broadcasting in the ATSC 3.0 (NextGen TV) format, which also transmits KSAZ content in this advanced format.

Transition from Analog to Digital

KSAZ-TV initiated its digital broadcast in standard definition on October 15, 2000. The station discontinued its analog transmission on VHF channel 10 at precisely 8:30 a.m. on June 12, 2009, adhering to the federal directive requiring all full-power television stations in the United States to switch to digital broadcasting. Following the transition, the digital signal relocated from its pre-transition UHF channel 31 back to VHF channel 10.

Translator Stations

To extend coverage across northern and northwestern Arizona, KSAZ-TV operates several translator stations:

• Bullhead City: K07YJ-D
• Chloride: K17NS-D
• Clarkdale: K36AE-D
• Colorado City: K27EJ-D
• East Flagstaff: K26NG-D
• Kingman: K29LO-D
• Lake Havasu City: K22NK-D
• Littlefield: K31EA-D
• Peach Springs: K36PE-D
• Prescott: K25OM-D
• Snowflake: K07OJ-D
• Williams: K31NE-D
• Needles, CA: K17BN-D