List of NTA Film Network affiliates in the United States

NTA Film Network

Company type	Television network and syndication service
Industry	Broadcasting, Television
Predecessor	National Telefilm Associates (NTA)
Founded	July 1956 (1956-07)
Defunct	November 1961 (1961-11)
Headquarters	United States
Area served	United States, Canada
Products	Television programs and syndication
Owner	National Telefilm Associates (NTA)

Between July 1956 and approximately November 1961, the NTA Film Network, an early television network and syndication service, was operated by the National Telefilm Associates (NTA) across the United States and Canada. Having syndicated TV shows since the early 1950s, NTA sought to create a viable "fourth television network" to rival the established CBS, NBC, and ABC. Although the network primarily targeted independent television stations, numerous affiliates of the Big Three also broadcast NTA programming.

Throughout the period from 1956 to 1961, NTA distributed dozens of series to its affiliated stations. Widely viewed programs such as How to Marry a Millionaire, Premiere Performance, Sheriff of Cochise, and The Third Man were shown on more than 100 local stations each. Conversely, certain titles like Alex in Wonderland experienced limited reach. Affiliates chose individual programs independently; no single station aired the entire NTA lineup, including NTA’s three owned-and-operated stations (O&Os): WNTA-TV in New York, KMSP-TV in Minneapolis, and WDAF-TV in Kansas City.

To broaden audience exposure, NTA sold its series to any station willing to carry them, occasionally resulting in multiple outlets within the same market airing identical shows simultaneously. For example, in New York City, How to Marry a Millionaire was broadcast on three separate stations concurrently. This expansive distribution strategy led some programs to be seen on up to 370 stations by 1957.

Many of NTA’s productions originated in Hollywood or England; later content was videotaped in New York. Utilizing film and videotape granted local stations scheduling flexibility and allowed NTA to rebroadcast material years after initial production concluded. Although an attempt at a unified network schedule was made in 1958, only 17 stations complied. While plans for live sports and special event broadcasts were announced, the network’s primary distribution method remained film-based. One notable exception was the public affairs show Open End, which aired live from New York City to 10 stations, with others receiving taped versions.

Despite occasionally capturing up to 22% of viewers, the NTA Film Network never posed a significant challenge to the Big Three networks. It operated only three O&Os compared to five each for its competitors. Executives considered acquiring additional stations in Denver and Milwaukee but these transactions never materialized. NTA sold its Minneapolis outlet in November 1959, followed by Kansas City in August 1960, and finally its flagship New York City station in November 1961. Nevertheless, NTA continued offering syndication services and launched new series through 1965 while also rerunning earlier content.

Below is a list of all affiliate stations that aired NTA programming between 1956 and the conclusion of the 1961–1962 season. Please note that Pantomime Quiz had previously aired on multiple major networks before NTA obtained distribution rights by 1957; thus those earlier broadcasts are not included here.

Stations

Table of affiliate stations

City	State or Territory	Call sign	Channel	Programs aired
Aberdeen	South Dakota	KXAB-TV	9	Glencannon Premiere Performance
Abilene	Texas	KRBC-TV	9	Sheriff of Cochise
Ada	Oklahoma	KTEN*	10	China Smith Combat Sergeant How to Marry a Millionaire NTA Film Spectacular Orient Express Police Call Premiere Performance This is Alice
Albany	New York	WTRI	35/13	Best of Bishop Sheen Hour of Stars How to Marry a Millionaire Man Without a Gun NTA Film Spectacular Premiere Performance Shirley Temple Specials This is Alice
Albuquerque	New Mexico	KGGM-TV	13	Hour of Stars NTA Film Spectacular Official Detective Orient Express Premiere Performance Sheriff of Cochise
Albuquerque	New Mexico	KOAT-TV	7	Hour of Stars How to Marry a Millionaire Janet Dean, RN (post-1956) Man Without a Gun New Orleans Police Dept. This is Alice U.S. Marshal
Albuquerque	New Mexico	KOB-TV	4	Assignment: Underwater Combat Sergeant Danger is My Business Lilli Palmer Theater Mike Wallace Interview (1959–1961) Sheriff of Cochise The Third Man U.S. Marshal
Alexandria	Louisiana	KALB-TV	5	Danger is My Business Glencannon Official Detective Sheriff of Cochise William Tell
Alexandria	Minnesota	KCMT-TV	7	Grand Jury Sheriff of Cochise The Third Man

An asterisk (*) indicates stations that joined at the network’s launch. A dagger (†) marks those that broadcast some of NTA's limited live programming. A diesis (‡) identifies stations listed as NTA affiliates in the 1957–1958 Broadcasting/Telecasting Yearbook.

Stations owned and operated by other networks

A number of owned-and-operated stations (O&Os) affiliated with CBS, ABC, and NBC also aired programs from the NTA Film Network. Noteworthy examples include:

Network-owned stations broadcasting NTA content

City	State	Call sign	Network	Channel	Programs broadcast
Chicago	Illinois	WBBM-TV	CBS	2	Juke Box Jury Sheriff of Cochise
Chicago	Illinois	WNBQ	NBC	5	Combat Sergeant Official Detective Orient Express Sheriff of Cochise Sherlock Holmes
Los Angeles	California	KABC-TV	ABC	7	Drew Pearson Glencannon Janet Dean, RN Orient Express U.S. Marshal William Tell
Los Angeles	California	KNXT	CBS	2	Assignment: Underwater Grand Jury Sheriff of Cochise This is Alice
Los Angeles	California	KRCA-TV	NBC	4	Grand Jury
New York City	New York	WABC-TV	ABC	7	U.S. Marshal
New York City	New York	WCBS-TV	CBS	2	Man Without a Gun
New York City	New York	WRCA-TV	NBC	4	Grand Jury The Third Man
Washington	District of Columbia	WRC-TV	NBC	4	Play of the Week Sheriff of Cochise The Third Man

Radio simulcast

During the U.S. administration of Okinawa (1952–1972), an uncommon broadcasting setup was implemented by radio station KSBK (later known as JORO) in Naha, Okinawa. This station transmitted the audio portion of NTA programs simultaneously, targeting American military personnel and their families stationed there, while the visual feed originated from mainland Japan. Featured shows included Divorce Court, George Jessel, and Sheriff of Cochise.

See also

• List of former NTA Film Network affiliates in Canada