History
KTPN-LP first signed on the air from Tyler in 1990 as K48DP; originally operating as an independent station, it later became a charter affiliate of The WB when the network launched on January 11, 1995. KLPN-LP signed on in Longview as K22EH later that year, serving as a repeater of K48DP and also carrying WB network programming. In 1997, the two stations both dropped their WB affiliations to join the United Paramount Network (UPN); they were collectively branded as "UPN 22/48". Accordingly, channel 48 changed its callsign to KTPN-LP (standing for "Tyler Paramount Network"). In 1998, K22EH moved to UHF channel 58 and changed its callsign to K58FS in order to allow KETK-TV (channel 56) to sign on its digital signal on UHF channel 22 (K58FS and KTPN-LP were accordingly rebranded as "UPN 58/48"); two years later in 2000, K58FS changed its callsign to KLPN-LP (standing for "Longview Paramount Network") to match its sister station.
KTPN and KLPN received a full-power satellite when KCEB (channel 54, now a Fubo Sports Network affiliate) signed on in July 2003, simulcasting UPN programming from the low-power outlets; the three stations collectively branded as "UPN 54/58/48". In 2005, KCEB dropped its UPN affiliation to affiliate with The WB; subsequently thereafter in January 2006, KTPN-LP and KLPN-LP lost the UPN affiliation to CBS affiliate KYTX (channel 19), which added the network as a second digital subchannel; this resulted in the two stations reverting into independent stations. On January 24, 2006, CBS Corporation (which split from Viacom in December 2005) and Time Warner's Warner Bros. Entertainment (the division that operated The WB) announced that the two companies would shut down The WB and UPN and combine the networks' respective programming to create a new "fifth" network called The CW.[2][3] One month later on February 22, News Corporation announced the launch of a new "sixth" network called MyNetworkTV, which would be operated by Fox Television Stations and its syndication division Twentieth Television.[4][5]
On April 24, 2013, the Communications Corporation of America announced the sale of its television stations, including KETK-TV, to Nexstar Broadcasting Group. KFXK and KTPN were planned be sold to Nexstar partner company Mission Broadcasting; in the case of KFXK, that station was being sold to Mission to comply with FCC duopoly rules. But on August 5, 2014, Mission withdrew its application to acquire KFXK.[6] Nexstar continues to operate KFXK and KLPN under a shared services agreement with sister station KETK.[7] The sale was completed on January 1, 2015.[8]
On July 6, 2021, Nexstar exercised its option to acquire KTPN-LD outright from White Knight.[9][10] The transaction was completed on October 1.[11]
