KTXA
| Company type | Independent television station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Broadcasting |
| Founded | January 4, 1981 in Fort Worth, Texas, United States |
| Headquarters | Fort Worth , United States |
Area served | Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex |
| Products | Television broadcasting |
| Owner | CBS News and Stations |
| Parent | CBS News and Stations |
KTXA (channel 21), marketed as TXA 21, is an independent television station based in Fort Worth, Texas, serving the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. It is owned by the CBS News and Stations division alongside the CBS affiliate KTVT (channel 11). Both stations operate from shared studios located on Bridge Street near downtown Fort Worth, with sales offices situated at CBS Tower on North Central Expressway in Dallas. KTXA’s transmission facilities are located in Cedar Hill, Texas.
KTXA commenced operations in January 1981, becoming one of three new stations to launch in the Metroplex within a six-month span. Each station offered advertiser-supported programming during daytime hours and scrambled subscription television (STV) programming at night. KTXA carried the ON TV service, which encountered fierce competition and controversy over adult content, resulting in its termination after two years. Subsequently, KTXA established itself successfully as an independent station in a competitive market and underwent two rapid ownership changes with significant transaction values. However, downturns in the independent broadcasting sector and local economic challenges led to a sale at less than half its previous valuation. Between 1989 and 1991, the Paramount Stations Group acquired KTXA, bringing operational stability.
Under Paramount’s ownership, KTXA became a founding affiliate of the United Paramount Network (UPN) in 1995. Following CBS’s acquisition of Paramount, KTXA consolidated operations with KTVT in 2001. When UPN merged into The CW network in 2006, KTXA was not selected as an affiliate and instead pivoted towards prime time news programming and coverage of professional sports.
Prior history of UHF channel 21 in Fort Worth
The UHF channel 21 frequency in the Dallas–Fort Worth area was initially occupied by KFWT, an independent station licensed to Fort Worth that began airing on September 14, 1967. Owned by W. C. Windsor’s Trinity Broadcasting Company (distinct from the later Trinity Broadcasting Network), and affiliated with KFWT-FM 102.1, it was one of three new UHF independent stations launched within six months in the Metroplex. Financial struggles forced KFWT to cease broadcasting within two years. Trinity Broadcasting Company declared bankruptcy in March 1970, leading to repossession of channel 21’s broadcast equipment.
Early years
During 1975 and 1976, two separate entities named Channel 21, Inc., led respectively by Robert S. Block and Sidney Shlenker, filed applications with the FCC to operate new subscription television (STV) services on Fort Worth’s channel 21 allocation. Shlenker’s group formed a partnership with Oak Industries—the proprietor of ON TV—to introduce an STV system to the Metroplex market by 1979. On March 31, 1980, the FCC approved a settlement that compensated Block’s group while awarding Shlenker the construction permit. Although Shlenker aimed for a November 1980 launch, construction progressed slowly; ultimately, KTXA acquired a facility in Arlington for its operations and for ON TV’s use.
KTXA officially began transmissions on January 4, 1981, becoming the second of three new UHF stations to debut within six months across the Metroplex. Alongside Dallas-based KTWS-TV (channel 27) and KNBN-TV (channel 33), KTXA operated as a part-time STV broadcaster: KTWS-TV carried the Preview service; KNBN-TV aired VEU; and KTXA started ON TV broadcasts in late February after initially featuring advertiser-supported prime time shows and syndicated programming.
The Dallas–Fort Worth market was unique due to simultaneously hosting three over-the-air STV services, creating intense competition among them. By June 1982, VEU had amassed approximately 42,000 subscribers; Preview counted around 30,000; and ON TV had about 24,800 subscribers. Among Oak Industries’ eight ON TV franchises nationwide, Dallas–Fort Worth represented one of the smallest markets and suffered from strained relations between the station and its STV operator.
Milton Grant—associated with Shlenker’s group and instrumental in KTXA’s development—transformed channel 21 into a competitive independent station through vigorous promotion and notable programming acquisitions. When ON TV introduced late-night adult-oriented subscription content as an optional feature, KTXA opposed this indecent material and successfully obtained a court order allowing it to discontinue such programming. Consequently, adult films were removed from the schedule by early 1983.
As cable television penetration expanded during an economic recession, STV subscription numbers declined nationwide. In Dallas–Fort Worth, VEU acquired Preview's subscriber base in September 1982, consolidating operations under one provider. The elimination of adult programming on ON TV triggered subscriber cancellations; Oak Industries consequently ceased ON TV services first in Dallas–Fort Worth and Phoenix markets. ON TV concluded its broadcasts on KTXA on April 30, 1983.
A cycle of ownership changes
In late 1982, the Shlenker–Grant consortium introduced another Texas outlet, KTXH in Houston, which offered a programming lineup akin to their existing station but without subscription television services. Grant's assertive approach to programming and marketing, coupled with a robust national market for independent broadcasters, rendered both stations profitable and attracted several potential buyers. Although Outlet Communications, the broadcast division of The Outlet Company, engaged in negotiations to acquire KTXA and KTXH, the transaction ultimately did not materialize. Instead, Grant sold both stations to Gulf Broadcast Group for $158 million in May 1984. The Federal Communications Commission postponed approval, mandating Gulf to divest FM radio properties in both markets. This sale price was notably high considering the relatively brief operational history of the stations.
Soon after taking ownership, Gulf sold its entire broadcasting portfolio to Taft Broadcasting in 1985 for $755 million. At the same time, activist investor Robert Bass increased his holdings in Taft to nearly a quarter of the company. However, with a deteriorating regional economy and a declining market for independent television, many industry observers regarded Taft's acquisition of KTXA as overpriced; Dallas–Fort Worth had become one of the most challenging markets for independents. The general manager of KTXA estimated annual programming expenses at $30 million, attributing these elevated costs to Grant’s tactic of expanding program inventory to inflate the station’s sale price—an unforeseen financial strain for Taft.
Under pressure from Bass, Taft placed its broadcast division on the market in August 1986, initially seeking $500 million for five independent stations. The successful purchaser, TVX Broadcast Group, ultimately paid only $240 million, leading to an estimated post-tax loss between $45 and $50 million for Taft. TVX responded by implementing cost reductions including a 15% workforce cut and renegotiating program contracts. Despite these measures, KTXA remained one of the stronger assets among those acquired.
Throughout the 1980s, KTXA continued to air local sports content. In 1984, the NBA's Dallas Mavericks moved their broadcasts to KTXA after their previous broadcaster encountered network scheduling conflicts; channel 21 carried ten games while WFAA-TV aired five. The Mavericks shifted to KTVT in 1985 due to low viewership on KTXA and a preference for consolidated coverage. Additionally, KTXA secured a three-year agreement beginning in 1985 to broadcast SMU Mustangs football and basketball games but ended this early following SMU’s football scandal and waning sponsor support.
The acquisition by TVX left it heavily leveraged and financially exposed. With financing from Salomon Brothers—which retained over 60% ownership—TVX failed to meet a $200 million debt payment due January 1, 1988, struggling to attract junk bond investors even before the impact of Black Monday. Although recapitalization occurred by late 1988, Salomon Brothers agreed in January 1989 to grant Paramount Pictures options on its controlling stake. Paramount eventually purchased 79 percent of TVX outright for $110 million in September 1989.
Paramount ownership and UPN affiliation
Paramount completed acquisition of TVX's remaining shares in 1991, securing a strategic foothold in the television station sector. Two years later, prompted by construction at The Ballpark at Arlington, KTXA relocated from Arlington to a former Interstate Trinity warehouse situated in Dallas's West End Historic District, previously serving as headquarters for Dallas Area Rapid Transit. The facility’s 14-foot ceilings were well-suited for television production needs. In 1994, the original "IT" sign atop the building was replaced with Paramount branding. Also in 1993, KTXA aired NYPD Blue after ABC affiliate WFAA-TV declined it due to content concerns and became the broadcast home for the NHL's Dallas Stars following their move to Texas; channel 21 televised twenty road games as part of a fifty-game regional package shared with HSE and KTVT. The Stars remained on KTXA for two seasons before transferring coverage to KDFI in 1995. That same year marked KTXA's affiliation with the newly launched United Paramount Network (UPN).
In 2000, Viacom—Paramount's parent company—acquired CBS, creating a duopoly since CBS had purchased KTVT for $485 million in 1999; KTVT had transitioned from an independent station to a CBS affiliate in 1995. The merger was finalized in October 2000, and by 2001 KTXA consolidated operations into KTVT's studios located in Fort Worth. That year also saw the Mavericks return broadcasts to both KTVT and KTXA after prematurely ending an agreement with KSTR-TV, which was shifting toward Spanish-language programming. Under this arrangement, KTXA aired twenty-five of thirty Mavericks games broadcast across both stations, resulting in a ratings increase of 61%. Additionally, KTXA produced The Mark Cuban Show, a weekly half-hour program featuring the team's owner that was distributed among other CBS affiliates. Programming also included extreme sports coverage, high school sports events, and broadcasts of the Dallas Desperados from the Arena Football League. In December 2005, following National Amusements’ decision to split Viacom and CBS into separate entities effective December 31, ownership of KTXA, along with KTVT and other Viacom Television Stations Group properties, transferred to CBS Corporation.
Regaining autonomy
On January 24, 2006, CBS Corporation and Warner Bros. declared the discontinuation of UPN and The WB networks to establish a new entity known as The CW. Out of CBS's 15 UPN affiliates, eleven transitioned to The CW; however, KTXA along with two other CBS-owned UPN stations were not included. Instead, 16 stations owned by Tribune Broadcasting, including KDAF, were chosen.
Following the dissolution of UPN, CBS reoriented "TXA 21" to emphasize local prime time news programming, complementing its sports content and utilizing resources from KTVT’s newsroom. Inspired by KCAL-TV in Los Angeles, on September 18, 2006, KTVT introduced a two-hour prime time newscast for KTXA titled TXA 21 News: First In Prime, airing from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., featuring distinct anchors and sports segments anchored by KTVT sports director Gina Miller.
In 2010, KTXA secured a five-year agreement with the Texas Rangers to televise 25 games each season, primarily on Friday evenings. This complemented coverage of the Dallas Mavericks, high school athletics, and syndicated collegiate events. The Dallas Stars resumed broadcasts on KTXA in 2011 with a package of 15 games per year over four seasons. FC Dallas soccer matches were added in 2015 and continued through the 2022 season until Major League Soccer centralized local television rights under a $2.5 billion contract with Apple. Subsequently, KTXA served as an overflow channel for Rangers, Mavericks, and Stars contests aired on Fox and Bally Sports Southwest.
On September 12, 2011, KTXA shortened its prime time newscast to one hour—comprising a half-hour local news segment at 7:00 p.m., followed by a sports-focused show at 7:30 p.m. The evening news program was discontinued on October 31, 2011; the sports segment evolved into The Fan Sports Show, hosted by Gina Miller until her exit in 2014.
On August 26, 2013, the Dallas business operations of KTVT/KTXA—including the news bureau and advertising sales—were moved to the renovated CBS Tower located along Central Expressway. The previous studio space of approximately 24,000 square feet was sold in 2015 for conversion into a hotel.
CBS Corporation reunited with Viacom on December 4, 2019, resulting in the formation of ViacomCBS (currently known as Paramount Skydance Corporation).
On July 18, 2022, KTXA debuted CBS News DFW Now, a hybrid newscast blending local and national content partially produced at CBS’s Fort Worth news lab. This program format is also broadcast across nine additional CBS-owned CW affiliates and independent stations.
Technical details and subchannels
KTXA’s transmitter is situated in Cedar Hill, Texas. Its broadcast signal is multiplexed:
| Channel | Resolution | Aspect ratio | Identifier | Content |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21.1 | 1080i | 16:9 | KTXA-DT | Independent |
| 21.2 | 480i | QVC | QVC | |
| 21.3 | [none] | Radar | ||
| 21.4 | [none] | Dabl | ||
| 21.5 | HSN | HSN |
Transition from analog to digital
KTXA initiated digital transmissions on UHF channel 18 starting October 16, 2000. The station terminated its analog broadcasts on UHF channel 21 on June 12, 2009, complying with the federally mandated digital conversion deadline.
The digital signal initially moved from channel 18 to channel 19—the latter formerly occupied by KTVT—before relocating again to channel 29 in January 2011 after receiving approval from the FCC. This adjustment addressed reception issues encountered by KTVT following its switch to the VHF band and enhanced over-the-air coverage for both stations.
External links
- Articles with short description
- 1981 establishments in Texas
- CBS News and Stations
- Dabl affiliates
- Independent television stations in the United States
- Mass media in Fort Worth, Texas
- ON TV (TV network)
- Paramount Stations Group
- Taft Broadcasting
- Television channels and stations established in 1981
- Television stations in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex
- TVX Broadcast Group