KJTV-TV
KJTV-TV is a Fox-affiliated television station serving Lubbock and the South Plains of Texas.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
KJTV-TV, branded as Fox 34, is a full-power television station serving Lubbock and the surrounding South Plains region of Texas. The station broadcasts on virtual channel 34 and is affiliated with the Fox network. Its studios are located on 98th Street and University Avenue in south Lubbock, while its transmitter operates near the interchange of Interstate 27 and Slaton Highway. The station is part of a local television cluster that also includes NBC affiliate KCBD, CW+ affiliate KLCW-TV, and several low-power stations. The present station traces its operating history to December 11, 1981, when it launched as independent station KJAA under ownership associated with Ramar Communications. Ramar had acquired and reused infrastructure connected with an earlier, unsuccessful channel 34 operation. On August 16, 1985, the station adopted the KJTV call sign. It became one of Fox Broadcasting Company's charter affiliates when the network launched on October 9, 1986, a relationship that has continued for decades. The station added the “-TV” suffix to its call sign in October 2000. Before Fox offered a full seven-night schedule, KJTV filled portions of its schedule with syndicated programs, movies, and locally sponsored entertainment. Its local programming included The Cowboy Picture Show, a weekly Western-film presentation, and other prime-time movie broadcasts. KJTV also developed a significant sports identity. It became the exclusive Lubbock-area broadcaster of Southwest Conference athletics beginning with the 1989–90 season and has carried National Football Conference games for the South Plains since 1994, including Dallas Cowboys coverage. KJTV established a dedicated local news operation in 2000, launching a 9 p.m. newscast and introducing a new visual identity. The station later expanded its news schedule with Good Day Lubbock in 2008, Ag Day Lubbock in 2010, and Fox 34 News Now in 2012. In June 2022, KCBD assumed responsibility for all aspects of KJTV’s newscasts. The programming was subsequently branded as KCBD NewsChannel 11 on Fox 34, while Good Day Lubbock continued in a revised morning time slot. Ownership and operating arrangements changed substantially in the 2020s. Ramar announced the sale of KJTV to SagamoreHill Broadcasting in October 2020, with the transaction closing on December 31 of that year. Gray Television, which owned KCBD, provided services to KJTV under a shared-services arrangement. In 2025, Gray announced an agreement to acquire KJTV-TV and related station assets from SagamoreHill. The reference material states that the Federal Communications Commission approved the transaction in May 2026 and that the deal closed shortly afterward. Under the resulting structure, KJTV operates within Gray’s Lubbock station group while retaining its Fox affiliation and Fox 34 identity. Technically, KJTV ended analog broadcasting on February 17, 2009, as part of the United States digital television transition. Its digital transmission uses UHF channel 35 while retaining virtual channel 34. The station’s brand is therefore built around three closely connected roles: a Fox network outlet, a regional sports broadcaster, and a local news and information service for the Lubbock market.
History
Channel 34 first went on the air in Lubbock in 1967 as KKBC-TV. The station was established by the KB Company, associated with Chester and Clarance Kissell, and operated with comparatively modest technical facilities. Its control room and transmitter were initially located at a downtown high-rise, and local engineer Alvie Ivey assembled much of the installation from used equipment obtained from other regional stations. The station carried a mixture of films, programs declined by existing Lubbock outlets, and The Mike Douglas Show. The arrival of KSEL-TV on channel 28 exposed KKBC-TV’s technical and competitive disadvantages. KSEL had substantially greater power, a taller tower, and support from related radio stations. Channel 34’s owners responded by constructing a taller facility near 98th Street and University Avenue and increasing transmission power. The station changed its call sign to KMXN-TV and carried Spanish International Network programming, but the operation remained financially unstable. It ceased broadcasting around 1973, and its license was returned to the Federal Communications Commission. Ramar later acquired the former channel 34 tower site and related transmission infrastructure for radio use. Around 1980 or 1981, the company successfully pursued a new channel 34 license using the existing tower, feed line, and antenna. The new station began broadcasting on December 11, 1981, as KJAA, an independent station. On August 16, 1985, it adopted the KJTV call letters, which had previously been used by another station in the region. KJTV became a charter affiliate of the Fox Broadcasting Company on October 9, 1986. During Fox’s early years, when the network did not yet provide programming every night, the station supplemented its schedule with movies, syndicated shows, and locally sponsored presentations. Its local entertainment included The Cowboy Picture Show, a weekly Western movie program, as well as regular prime-time films. It also carried selected programming from the Prime Time Entertainment Network for a period. In October 2000, the station formally added the “-TV” suffix to become KJTV-TV. Sports became an important part of the station’s regional service. Beginning with the 1989–90 season, KJTV held exclusive Lubbock-area broadcast rights for Southwest Conference athletics. It also produced occasional special sports telecasts, including a 1986 Texas Tech football broadcast from Miami. Since 1994, KJTV has carried National Football Conference games for the South Plains, including programming associated with the Dallas Cowboys. The station entered local news production in 2000 with a 9 p.m. newscast. It recruited Jeff Klotzman as a prominent anchor and built a news department around a virtual set. KJTV expanded its information programming in 2008 with the weekday morning show Good Day Lubbock. In 2010, it introduced Ag Day Lubbock, a local agriculture-focused program that complemented the nationally syndicated Ag Day. In 2012, it added Fox 34 News Now, providing additional news and information programming across the station’s digital subchannels. KJTV’s news structure changed after Ramar announced the sale of the station to SagamoreHill Broadcasting in October 2020. The sale closed at the end of that year, while Gray Television, owner of NBC affiliate KCBD, supplied services through a shared-services agreement. In June 2022, KCBD assumed all aspects of KJTV’s newscasts. The news branding changed to KCBD NewsChannel 11 on Fox 34, and the morning and evening schedules were adjusted. KJTV continued to function as the Fox outlet while relying on KCBD for much of its local-news operation. The reference material states that Gray Media announced a direct acquisition of KJTV-TV and related assets in August 2025. It further states that the FCC approved the transaction on May 6, 2026, and that closing occurred two days later. KJTV consequently became part of Gray’s Lubbock television group. The station’s digital transition occurred on February 17, 2009, when its analog UHF channel 34 signal was shut down. Its digital signal uses physical channel 35 and virtual channel 34.
- 2026
Gray acquisition closes
[1]According to the supplied reference material, the FCC approves Gray’s acquisition of KJTV and the transaction closes in May.
- 2022
KCBD assumes KJTV news production
[1]KCBD takes over the station’s newscasts and introduces KCBD-branded news programming on Fox 34.
- 2020
Sale to SagamoreHill closes
[1]SagamoreHill Broadcasting acquires KJTV from Ramar, while Gray begins providing services under a shared-services agreement.
- 2012
Fox 34 News Now expands programming
[1]KJTV adds several hours of news and information programming.
- 2010
Ag Day Lubbock launches
[1]The station adds a local agriculture news program.
- 2009
Analog transmission ends
[1]KJTV shuts down its analog signal and continues digitally on physical UHF channel 35.
- 2008
Good Day Lubbock launches
[1]KJTV introduces a weekday morning news program.
- 2000
Local news department launches
[1]The station debuts a 9 p.m. newscast and creates its first dedicated local news operation in more than three decades.
- 1994
NFC football coverage begins
[1]KJTV becomes the South Plains broadcaster for National Football Conference games.
- 1989
Southwest Conference sports rights become exclusive
[1]KJTV becomes the exclusive Lubbock-area broadcaster of Southwest Conference athletics.
Products and positioning
A locally focused Fox affiliate combining network entertainment with Lubbock-area news, weather, agriculture, sports, and community programming.
Broadcast television channel · 1986
Fox 34
KJTV-TV’s primary broadcast identity and Fox network service for Lubbock and the South Plains. The channel carries Fox’s entertainment, sports, and news programming alongside syndicated and locally produced content. Its virtual channel 34 branding reflects the station’s long-standing call-sign and channel identity, even though the digital transmission operates on physical UHF channel 35.
Local morning news · 2008
Good Day Lubbock
A weekday morning program covering local news, weather, traffic, interviews, and community topics. The program originally occupied an earlier morning window and was later shifted to 7–10 a.m. after KCBD assumed the preceding early-morning news period.
Local television news · 2022
KCBD NewsChannel 11 on Fox 34
The post-2022 news presentation carried on KJTV under KCBD’s production and branding. It provides Lubbock-area local reporting, weather, and other news content while using the Fox 34 outlet to reach KJTV’s audience.
Agricultural news · 2010
Ag Day Lubbock
A former local agricultural news program created to complement the syndicated Ag Day broadcast. It focused on farming, ranching, and agriculture-related issues relevant to the South Plains.
Sports broadcasting · 1989
Fox 34 sports coverage
KJTV’s sports offering has included Southwest Conference athletics, National Football Conference games, and selected locally produced events. The station’s sports role has been particularly associated with Texas Tech and Dallas Cowboys interest across the Lubbock market.
Controversies
2026
James Eppler comments about BTS-Oreo promotion
The supplied reference material says that Good Day Lubbock host James Eppler made remarks about a BTS and Oreo promotional cookie product that prompted strong criticism from BTS fans. Critics described the comments as racist and xenophobic and called for his firing. The available material does not establish whether the station imposed any disciplinary action.
Brand decisions
2026
Complete Gray Media acquisitionM&ABackground
Gray had operated KJTV through a services relationship after the 2020 sale to SagamoreHill.
Action taken
The supplied reference material states that the FCC approved Gray’s acquisition on May 6, 2026, and that the transaction closed two days later.
Aftermath
KJTV became part of Gray Media’s direct Lubbock ownership structure while retaining its Fox affiliation.
2022
Integrate KJTV news with KCBDStrategyBackground
Gray already provided services to KJTV and operated NBC affiliate KCBD in the same market.
Action taken
KCBD assumed all aspects of KJTV’s newscasts, moved into KJTV’s studios, and rebranded the news as KCBD NewsChannel 11 on Fox 34.
Aftermath
KJTV continued to carry local news but under KCBD production and branding, with schedule changes to both morning and evening programs.
2020
Transfer ownership from Ramar to SagamoreHillM&ABackground
KJTV had been Ramar Communications’ flagship television property for many years.
Action taken
Ramar announced a $5 million sale to SagamoreHill Broadcasting, which closed on December 31, 2020. Gray provided services under a shared-services agreement.
Aftermath
KJTV remained Fox-affiliated but became operationally linked to Gray-owned KCBD.
Reported transaction value. $5 million (Announced October 19, 2020; closed December 31, 2020)
2000
Create a dedicated local news departmentProduct launchBackground
KJTV had historically focused on Fox, syndicated, movie, and sports programming rather than a full local news operation.
Action taken
The station launched a 9 p.m. newscast and introduced a new local-news presentation.
Aftermath
The move established KJTV as a direct local news competitor and provided a foundation for later morning and information programming.
1989
Secure exclusive Southwest Conference sports coverageStrategyBackground
KJTV had previously shared Southwest Conference broadcast rights with KCBD.
Action taken
Beginning with the 1989–90 season, KJTV became the exclusive broadcaster for the Lubbock and South Plains market.
Aftermath
The arrangement strengthened KJTV’s regional sports identity and connection with Texas Tech and South Plains viewers.
1986
Join the Fox network at launchStrategyBackground
KJTV operated as an independent station during the early 1980s, when Fox was preparing to build a nationwide affiliate network.
Action taken
The station affiliated with Fox on October 9, 1986, becoming one of the network’s charter affiliates.
Aftermath
The Fox relationship became the core of the station’s long-term brand and channel positioning.
Sources1 sources
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