KETK-TV

KETK-TV is a television station licensed to Jacksonville, Texas, and serving the broader East Texas market, including Tyler, Longview, Jacksonville, and surrounding communities. The station broadcasts as an affiliate of NBC on virtual channel 56 and is identified with the KETK call sign. Although its city of license is Jacksonville, its principal studios are located on Richmond Road near Loop 323 in Tyler, where it operates alongside other Nexstar-managed or affiliated stations. Its transmitter is situated near FM 855 in northwestern Cherokee County. The station was created to bring a full-time NBC affiliate to East Texas. Before KETK-TV signed on, several groups had attempted to construct a third major-network station in the Tyler–Longview area, but financial problems, construction difficulties, and uncertainty over network affiliation delayed the project. A construction permit originally associated with KTRG was ultimately transferred to Texas American Broadcasting, whose partners included owners of KTEN in Ada, Oklahoma. Texas American changed the proposed call letters to KETK and completed the station after also operating a low-power service that supplied NBC programming to Jacksonville. KETK-TV began broadcasting on March 9, 1987. Its launch completed local access to the three major commercial networks then serving the market and quickly established the station as an important source of local news. The start-up period included equipment delays, high winds, a fatal accident involving work on the studio-to-transmitter link, and a tornado that damaged the Jacksonville-area offices later in 1987. Despite those obstacles, the station remained on the air and expanded its audience during its first year. Ownership changed several times. Texas American Broadcasting sold the station in 1989 to Region 56 Network, a Lone Star Broadcasting subsidiary associated with general manager Phil Hurley. Lone Star later developed KLSB-TV in Nacogdoches, initially using it to rebroadcast much of KETK's programming while also producing some separate local news. KETK moved its main studios to Tyler in December 1991, reflecting the area's population and commercial center. The separately produced Nacogdoches newscasts were discontinued in 1994, although the station retained a regional presence. Max Media acquired KETK-TV and KLSB in the late 1990s. Sinclair Broadcast Group subsequently acquired Max Media's stations but chose not to retain KETK because of its geographic separation from Sinclair's other holdings. Communications Corporation of America acquired the station's operating assets in 1999 and eventually obtained the license assets in 2004. ComCorp used KETK as a regional production center, producing or facilitating news programming for KFXK-TV and, for a period, other Fox affiliates owned by or associated with the company. ComCorp and related station owner White Knight Broadcasting entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in 2006. Nexstar Broadcasting Group announced its acquisition of ComCorp's stations in 2013 and completed the transaction on January 1, 2015. Regulatory and ownership complications affected the proposed handling of nearby KFXK-TV, but KETK became part of the Nexstar station portfolio. Nexstar renovated KETK's studio and office facilities in 2017. Nexstar's acquisition of Tegna, announced in 2025 and reported as completed in March 2026, was intended to reunite KETK with CBS affiliate KYTX, which had previously been connected to KETK through the KLSB operation. Court action subsequently restricted Nexstar's immediate integration of the acquired stations. KETK's local-news operation has generally ranked behind longtime market leader KLTV while maintaining the position of a leading secondary news outlet. Its programming has included morning, daytime, evening, and weekend newscasts, weather coverage, regional reporting, and community-oriented content. The station also operates a digital television signal and carries addit…

The effort to establish KETK-TV began amid a long competition to add an NBC affiliate to the Tyler–Longview market. Various applicants pursued construction permits during the early 1980s, but proposed projects were hindered by financial problems and the absence of a firm network arrangement. Thomas Robert Gilchrist eventually obtained a construction permit in 1985 for a proposed station using the KTRG call sign. After Gilchrist entered bankruptcy, the permit and NBC affiliation agreement were transferred to Texas American Broadcasting. Texas American changed the call letters to KETK and proceeded with construction. The company also operated a low-power outlet that provided NBC programming to Jacksonville before the full-power station was ready. The planned February 1987 launch was delayed by equipment problems and severe winds. During final construction, a worker died in an accident involving repairs to the studio-to-transmitter link tower after cold-weather damage. KETK ultimately signed on March 9, 1987. A tornado damaged the station's Jacksonville-area offices in November of that year, but the station returned to the air the following day. In its first months KETK gained audience share and established a local-news identity. Ruth Allen Ollison served as its first news director, and weekend newscasts were added in January 1988. Texas American sold the station in 1989 to Region 56 Network, a Lone Star Broadcasting subsidiary co-owned by general manager Phil Hurley and TDH Capital Corporation. Under Lone Star, KETK launched KLSB-TV in Nacogdoches in September 1991. KLSB carried much of KETK's programming but initially had its own facilities and separate evening news. KETK moved its principal studios to Tyler in December 1991, while a short-lived Longview news edition was also attempted. Separate Nacogdoches newscasts ended in January 1994. The station continued to build its regional news profile, including by recruiting KLTV anchor Chuck McDonald and meteorologist John Adams in 1992. KETK became the principal local-news alternative to KLTV after KLMG-TV ended its news operation and later became Fox affiliate KFXK-TV. Its news operation also became a production resource for other stations connected with Communications Corporation of America, including KFXK and Fox affiliates in Texas and Louisiana. Max Media acquired KETK and KLSB in a transaction completed in March 1997. Sinclair Broadcast Group acquired Max Media's stations the following year but decided that the geographically isolated East Texas properties did not fit well with its existing portfolio. In January 1999, Sinclair transferred the stations' non-license assets to Communications Corporation of America for reported consideration, with ComCorp later acquiring the license assets in December 2004. ComCorp and related owner White Knight Broadcasting entered Chapter 11 proceedings in 2006; the stations continued operating through the restructuring period. ComCorp announced the sale of its television stations to Nexstar Broadcasting Group in April 2013. The proposed structure involved Mission Broadcasting and White Knight arrangements for nearby stations because direct ownership of a KETK–KFXK combination raised regulatory concerns. Mission later withdrew its application for KFXK, while White Knight remained the station's owner. Nexstar completed the ComCorp acquisition on January 1, 2015. Nexstar subsequently invested in a renovation of KETK's Tyler facilities, completed in November 2017. KETK's digital transition included an unusual early shutdown of its analog service. Although the station initially expected to continue analog transmission until the delayed 2009 transition date, a major equipment failure led it to shut off the analog transmitter on March 27, 2009. The station continued digitally on physical channel 22 while retaining virtual channel 56. Nexstar later announced an acquisition of Tegna in 2025 and reported completion in March 2026. Because Tegna owned KYTX, the transaction would reunite KETK with the former KLSB operation. Court proceedings, including a temporary restraining order and subsequent preliminary injunction, prevented immediate integration of the stations. KETK remains an active NBC affiliate and a significant East Texas local-news outlet.

1. 2026Tegna transaction and court restrictions

   Nexstar's reported Tegna acquisition reunited KETK's corporate family with KYTX, but court orders restricted immediate station integration.

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2. 2017Tyler facility renovation completed

   Nexstar completed a renovation of KETK's studio and office facilities.

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3. 2015Nexstar ownership begins

   Nexstar completed the acquisition of ComCorp's television stations.

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4. 2009Analog transmission ends early

   A transmitter equipment failure led KETK to end analog broadcasting on March 27, while digital service continued on physical channel 22.

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5. 2004KLSB becomes KYTX

   The Nacogdoches-originated station was repositioned as a CBS affiliate serving the Tyler–Longview region.

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6. 1999ComCorp takes over station operations

   Communications Corporation of America acquired the stations' non-license assets from Sinclair.

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7. 1997Max Media completes acquisition

   Max Media completed its purchase of KETK and KLSB.

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8. 1991KLSB-TV launches

   KETK established a Nacogdoches satellite station and moved its main studios to Tyler later that year.

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9. 1989Lone Star Broadcasting acquires KETK

   Region 56 Network, a Lone Star Broadcasting subsidiary, purchased the station.

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10. 1988Weekend local newscasts added

    KETK expanded its news schedule with weekend broadcasts.

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11. 1987KETK-TV signs on

    The station began broadcasting on March 9 as East Texas's NBC affiliate.

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12. 1985NBC construction permit transferred to Texas American Broadcasting

    After the original permit holder entered bankruptcy, Texas American Broadcasting acquired the permit and NBC affiliation agreement and adopted the KETK call sign.

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A regional NBC broadcast station serving East Texas, positioned around local news, weather, community coverage, and access to national NBC programming. KETK has historically competed as the market's leading secondary local-news outlet behind KLTV.

• KETK local newsLocal television news1987

  KETK's local-news operation covers Tyler, Longview, Jacksonville, and other East Texas communities. Its schedule has included morning, weekday evening, and weekend newscasts, with reporting on local government, public safety, schools, regional events, and community issues. The operation historically ranked behind KLTV but became the market's established second local-news outlet.

• NBC programmingNetwork television1987

  KETK carries NBC network programming for East Texas, including the network's entertainment, news, sports, and special-event schedule. NBC affiliation was central to the station's original purpose and helped complete the market's access to the major commercial television networks when KETK signed on.

• East Texas weatherBroadcast weather service1987

  Weather forecasts and severe-weather coverage are a core part of KETK's regional service. The station provides routine forecasts and breaking coverage for communities across its East Texas viewing area through its local newscasts and related broadcast platforms.

• KLSB-TVSatellite television station1991

  KLSB-TV was a Nacogdoches satellite station launched by KETK in 1991. It initially rebroadcast much of KETK's programming while producing separate evening news. The station was later repositioned and became KYTX, a CBS affiliate, in 2004.

• 2026Corporate reunion with KYTXM&A

  Nexstar's acquisition of Tegna brought KYTX, the former KLSB operation, back into the same corporate group as KETK.

  What changed. Nexstar completed the reported Tegna transaction, subject to continuing legal and regulatory constraints.

  Aftermath. A temporary restraining order and later preliminary injunction prevented immediate integration of the stations.

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• 2017Investment in Tyler facilitiesStrategy

  Nexstar sought to modernize the facilities supporting KETK's regional broadcast and news operation.

  What changed. Nexstar completed a renovation of the station's studio and office facilities in Tyler.

  Aftermath. The station continued operating from its Richmond Road-area Tyler facilities as part of Nexstar's East Texas presence.

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• 2013Proposed sale to NexstarM&A

  Communications Corporation of America announced a sale of its television portfolio, including KETK-TV.

  What changed. Nexstar agreed to acquire KETK, while related arrangements were proposed for nearby KFXK-TV because direct ownership of the combination raised regulatory concerns.

  Aftermath. The transaction was delayed and the proposed Mission Broadcasting application for KFXK was withdrawn, but Nexstar completed the ComCorp acquisition in January 2015.

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• 2009Early analog shutdownOther

  KETK had planned around the delayed nationwide digital-television transition, but a major analog-transmitter equipment failure changed the timetable.

  What changed. The station permanently switched off its analog transmitter on March 27, 2009 and continued broadcasting digitally on physical channel 22 using virtual channel 56.

  Aftermath. KETK completed its transition to digital service before the rescheduled national deadline.

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• 2004Repositioning of KLSB as KYTXGeneration change

  The regional television market lacked a CBS affiliate after the previous CBS outlet changed format and affiliation.

  What changed. KLSB was relaunched as KYTX and its facilities and transmitter configuration were changed to serve Tyler and Longview as a CBS station.

  Aftermath. The former KETK satellite became a separate network-affiliated station, ending its role as an extension of KETK.

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• 1991Launch of Nacogdoches satellite serviceStrategy

  KETK sought to extend its reach into the Nacogdoches–Lufkin area and provide a more direct regional presence.

  What changed. The station launched KLSB-TV, which carried much of KETK's programming and initially produced separate local news.

  Aftermath. KLSB's independent news operation was later discontinued, and the station was ultimately transformed into CBS affiliate KYTX.

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• 2026Nexstar acquisition of Tegna affects relationship with KYTX

  Nexstar's reported completion of its Tegna acquisition would reunite KETK with KYTX, formerly connected through the KLSB operation. Court orders subsequently limited integration of the acquired stations.

  M&ARegulation
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• 2017Nexstar renovates KETK facilities

  Nexstar completed a reported renovation of KETK's studio and office facilities in Tyler.

  Other
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• 2015Nexstar completes acquisition of ComCorp stations

  Nexstar completed its purchase of ComCorp's television stations, bringing KETK-TV into the Nexstar station group.

  M&A
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• 2006ComCorp files for Chapter 11 protection

  Communications Corporation of America and related station owner White Knight Broadcasting sought bankruptcy protection while KETK remained part of the related station structure.

  Bankruptcy
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• 2004KLSB-TV becomes CBS affiliate KYTX

  After a change in ownership and technical facilities, KLSB was repositioned as KYTX, a CBS affiliate serving Tyler and Longview.

  Product generation
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• 1991KETK launches Nacogdoches satellite station KLSB-TV

  KETK introduced KLSB-TV on channel 19 to extend NBC-oriented programming and local coverage into the Nacogdoches area.

  Product launch
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• 1987KETK-TV begins broadcasting as East Texas NBC affiliate

  KETK-TV signed on March 9, creating a full-time NBC affiliate for the East Texas market. Its launch completed local access to the major commercial networks.

  Other
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1. KETK-TV
2. KETK-TV official website