KAUU

KAUU is a broadcast television station licensed to Anchorage, Alaska, and identified on-air with channel 5. The station is operated by Gray Media alongside KTUU-TV, Anchorage's dual NBC and CBS affiliate, and the two stations share studios on East 40th Avenue in Anchorage. KAUU's principal transmission facilities are in the Knik area, while additional low-power and translator facilities have supported coverage in Anchorage and elsewhere in Alaska. The station began broadcasting on January 21, 1990, under the call sign KYES. It initially operated as an independent station, then joined UPN in January 1995. It also carried programming associated with The WB for a period, including before The WB 100+ Station Group moved smaller-market distribution toward cable systems. When UPN and The WB were merged into the planned CW network in 2006, KYES was expected to become a CW affiliate, but the Anchorage CW affiliation instead went to a digital subchannel of KIMO. KYES subsequently joined MyNetworkTV, which became its principal network programming source for much of the station's locally owned period. In October 2015, Gray Television announced plans to acquire KYES-TV and most of its translators from Fireweed Communications. The transaction was intended to create a two-station Anchorage operation with KTUU-TV, which Gray was acquiring separately. The proposed consolidation drew objections from GCI, Alaska's dominant cable operator and owner of CBS affiliate KTVA, as well as from Alaska's attorney general. The Federal Communications Commission approved the purchase in June 2016 subject to a condition restricting the station from entering an agreement that would turn it into one of the market's top-four stations by audience share for two years after closing. The transaction was completed on June 27, 2016. The station underwent its most consequential change in 2020. On July 31, KYES assumed Anchorage's CBS affiliation after Gray acquired the non-license assets associated with KTVA from Denali Media Holdings, a GCI subsidiary. CBS programming moved to KYES's main service, while the former KYES schedule, including MyNetworkTV programming, shifted to a fourth digital subchannel and continued to be distributed through GCI channel 11. The former KTVA news operation, syndicated programming, and many employees were also absorbed into the Gray operation. KTVA ceased broadcasting in September 2020, leaving KYES as Anchorage's CBS outlet. Gray launched the shared Alaska's News Source operation for KYES and KTUU in August 2020. The service combines news production and branding for the two stations while retaining selected KAUU-exclusive newscasts. KAUU carries locally produced morning, midday, afternoon, evening, and late news programming, including simulcasts of portions of KTUU's schedule. The station's news service is designed for the Anchorage market and also contributes to broader statewide availability through Alaska Rural Communications Service distribution of selected programming. The call sign changed from KYES-TV to KAUU on February 26, 2021. CBS programming was moved to KYES-LD and KTUU-DT5, mapped as 5.11, on March 3, 2021, as part of a significant transmitter and distribution upgrade. Other KAUU digital services continued operating. The station has also been notable for early experimentation with digital broadcasting: it launched a low-power digital signal in 2003 and was described as the first Anchorage-market station, and the first station in Alaska, to offer high-definition television. Today, KAUU's identity combines a CBS network service, a secondary MyNetworkTV offering, local news under the Alaska's News Source brand, and Gray Media's shared technical and editorial infrastructure in Alaska.

KAUU traces its history to KYES-TV, which signed on January 21, 1990, as an independent television station in Anchorage. The station was established to provide another commercial broadcast outlet in a relatively small and geographically challenging market. In January 1995, it became affiliated with UPN. It also carried programming related to The WB, but that relationship changed when The WB moved toward the WB 100+ Station Group model for smaller markets. The planned 2006 combination of UPN and The WB into The CW created uncertainty for KYES. Although it was initially expected to receive the new network, the Anchorage CW affiliation was ultimately assigned to a digital subchannel of ABC affiliate KIMO. KYES instead became a MyNetworkTV affiliate. The station remained one of Alaska's relatively unusual locally owned commercial television outlets and continued to operate with limited local news resources. KYES was an early adopter of digital broadcasting. It began a low-power digital service in August 2003 using inexpensive and improvised equipment, including a digital exciter and a temporary tower. The station used the service to carry high-definition programming and additional audio and specialty content. This made KYES an early high-definition broadcaster in Alaska. Its digital facilities and later translator network developed through several technical changes, including the eventual use of both high- and ultra-high-frequency facilities and changes associated with the nationwide digital transition. Gray Television announced its proposed purchase of KYES-TV and most of its translators in October 2015. Gray was also acquiring KTUU-TV, and the proposed transactions would establish common ownership of the two Anchorage stations. GCI, the owner of CBS affiliate KTVA and Alaska's leading cable operator, opposed the KYES transaction before the FCC, arguing that the consolidation could weaken competition. Alaska Attorney General Craig W. Richards also raised competition concerns. Gray responded that KYES was a weak station with little local news and a small share of the local broadcast advertising market, and that investment by a stronger owner could improve its services. The FCC approved the KYES sale on June 17, 2016, with a temporary restriction on affiliation agreements that could elevate the station into the market's top four by audience share. Gray completed the purchase on June 27. Following the transaction, the station's visual identity was redesigned and the MyNetworkTV affiliation received less prominent on-air treatment, reflecting the network's evolution into a programming service rather than a traditional full-service network. The decisive transformation came in 2020. On July 31, KYES assumed the CBS affiliation previously held by KTVA after Gray purchased KTVA's non-license assets from Denali Media Holdings, a GCI subsidiary. KYES became the Anchorage CBS outlet and adopted CBS-oriented branding. Its earlier programming schedule, including MyNetworkTV, moved to a fourth digital subchannel. Selected programming was also distributed through GCI channel 11 and the Alaska Rural Communications Service translator network. Gray inherited KTVA's news operation, employees, and syndicated programming. KTVA newscasts were briefly simulcast during the transition, but the former KTVA facility produced its final newscast on August 30, 2020. On August 31, Gray launched Alaska's News Source, a combined news operation serving KYES and KTUU. The arrangement allowed Gray to share resources while preserving separate station schedules and selected KAUU newscasts. KAUU's schedule includes simulcasts of portions of KTUU's morning, evening, and late news, as well as KAUU-specific midday, afternoon, and early-evening broadcasts. The KYES-TV call sign was replaced by KAUU on February 26, 2021. A low-power service adopted the KYES-LD call sign, and CBS programming moved to KYES-LD and KTUU-DT5 during a transmitter upgrade on March 3, 2021. The station continues to operate as part of Gray Media's Alaska television group, sharing facilities and news infrastructure with KTUU while serving Anchorage viewers through broadcast, cable, digital subchannels, and statewide translator distribution.

1. 2021Station becomes KAUU

   The KYES-TV call sign changes to KAUU on February 26; CBS distribution is later shifted during a transmitter upgrade.

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2. 2020CBS affiliation and news operation change

   KYES assumes the Anchorage CBS affiliation and Gray launches the shared Alaska's News Source operation for KYES and KTUU.

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3. 2016Gray Television completes acquisition

   Gray completes its purchase of KYES-TV on June 27 after FCC approval.

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4. 2006KYES becomes a MyNetworkTV affiliate

   After the planned UPN-WB combination does not result in a CW affiliation for KYES, the station joins MyNetworkTV.

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5. 2003Digital broadcasting launches

   KYES begins a low-power digital transmission and offers early high-definition programming.

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6. 1995UPN affiliation begins

   KYES joins UPN while continuing to operate as a commercial Anchorage broadcaster.

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7. 1990KYES-TV begins broadcasting

   The station signs on in Anchorage as an independent television station on January 21.

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A locally focused Anchorage broadcast station combining CBS network programming with shared Gray Media news production, secondary MyNetworkTV programming, and Alaska-oriented distribution.

• CBS network serviceNetwork television2020

  KAUU's principal television service carries CBS programming for viewers in the Anchorage market. The affiliation moved to the station in July 2020 from KTVA, making KAUU the local outlet for CBS entertainment, news, sports, and other network programming. Subsequent technical changes placed CBS programming on KYES-LD and KTUU-DT5 while retaining the KAUU channel identity in the market.

• Alaska's News SourceLocal news2020

  Alaska's News Source is the shared news operation serving KAUU and sister station KTUU. It was launched by Gray in August 2020 after the company acquired non-license assets and personnel associated with KTVA. KAUU carries simulcast portions of KTUU's news schedule and exclusive broadcasts including midday, afternoon, and early-evening programs.

• MyNetworkTV programmingNetwork programming2006

  MyNetworkTV became KYES's principal affiliation after the station was not selected for the Anchorage CW affiliation in 2006. Following the 2020 CBS transition, the former KYES schedule, including MyNetworkTV programming, moved to a fourth digital subchannel and continued as a secondary service associated with the KAUU operation.

• 2021CBS distribution shifts during transmitter upgradeGeneration change

  Gray undertook a major transmitter and technical upgrade affecting the station's broadcast distribution.

  What changed. On March 3, CBS programming moved to KYES-LD and KTUU-DT5, mapped as 5.11, while other digital subchannels continued operating.

  Aftermath. The change expanded the technical options for delivering the CBS service while preserving its Anchorage channel identity.

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• 2020KAUU assumes the CBS affiliationStrategy

  Gray acquired the non-license assets connected with KTVA after KTVA's owner, Denali Media Holdings, transferred the CBS affiliation and associated operating assets.

  What changed. KYES's main channel became the Anchorage CBS affiliate on July 31, while its previous schedule moved to a fourth digital subchannel.

  Aftermath. KTVA later ceased broadcasting, and KAUU became the principal CBS broadcast outlet for Anchorage within Gray's combined Alaska operation.

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• 2020Gray consolidates local news under Alaska's News SourceStrategy

  Gray controlled both KYES and KTUU and inherited KTVA's news operation during the CBS affiliation transition.

  What changed. Gray combined the news resources of KYES and KTUU and launched the Alaska's News Source brand on August 31.

  Aftermath. The two stations shared a news identity and production infrastructure while airing a mixture of simulcast and station-specific newscasts.

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• 2015Gray proposes acquisition of KYES-TVM&A

  Gray sought to acquire KYES-TV while separately acquiring KTUU-TV, creating a common-owner television operation in Anchorage.

  What changed. Gray announced a $500,000 purchase agreement for KYES-TV and four translators and planned to seek an FCC failing-station waiver.

  Aftermath. The proposal prompted objections from GCI and Alaska's attorney general before receiving FCC approval in 2016.

  Purchase price. $500,000 (2015 announced transaction)

  • GCI / Denali Media Holdings — GCI argued that combining KTUU and KYES could reduce competition in the Anchorage television market.
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• 2021KYES-TV changes call sign to KAUU

  The station adopted the KAUU call sign, while KYES branding was retained for a low-power transmitter.

  Other
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• 2021CBS programming moves to upgraded facilities

  CBS programming moved to KYES-LD and KTUU-DT5, mapped as 5.11, during a major transmitter upgrade.

  Product generation
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• 2020KYES assumes Anchorage CBS affiliation

  KYES replaced KTVA as the CBS affiliate for Anchorage after Gray acquired the non-license assets connected with KTVA from Denali Media Holdings.

  M&ALeadership change
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• 2020Alaska's News Source launches

  Gray combined the news operations serving KYES and KTUU under the Alaska's News Source brand and hired former KTVA personnel as part of the transition.

  Leadership change
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• 2016FCC approves Gray's acquisition of KYES-TV

  The FCC approved the sale of KYES-TV to Gray Television with a temporary condition limiting the station's ability to enter an affiliation agreement that would make it one of the market's top-four stations by audience share.

  M&ARegulation
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• 2015Gray Television announces acquisition of KYES-TV

  Gray Television announced an agreement to acquire KYES-TV and four of its five translators from Fireweed Communications for $500,000, subject to regulatory approval and a proposed failing-station waiver.

  M&A
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1. KAUU
2. KAUU official website