KNOE-TV
A Monroe, Louisiana television station serving the Monroe–El Dorado market as a CBS and ABC affiliate, with additional digital-subchannel programming.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
KNOE-TV is a full-power television station licensed to Monroe, Louisiana, and serving the Monroe, Louisiana–El Dorado, Arkansas designated market area. The station operates as an affiliate of CBS and ABC and is identified locally by the KNOE 8 brand. Its programming operation includes local news, syndicated and network programming, digital multicast services, and selected sports coverage. KNOE-TV is owned by Gray Media and operates alongside low-power Monroe station KCWL-LD. Its principal studios are on Oliver Road north of Louisville Avenue in Monroe, while its transmitter is located north of Columbia near Seay Road and Louisiana Highway 847. A translator in El Dorado, K20OC-D, rebroadcasts the station’s digital signal in high definition and maps to virtual channel 8. The station began broadcasting on September 27, 1953, under the ownership of former Louisiana governor James A. Noe Sr., who also controlled the KNOE radio stations. Its launch made it the oldest surviving television station in northern Louisiana. KNOE-TV’s original transmission facility used a 774-foot tower, a substantial installation for its time. The station’s sign-on also contributed to the end of local competition from KFAZ, which left the air in 1954. During the early network-television era, KNOE-TV carried programming from several major networks, including CBS, NBC, ABC, and DuMont, and briefly carried the NTA Film Network. It developed into a mixed CBS–ABC operation during the 1960s. Its affiliation structure changed as other stations entered the Monroe market: ABC programming moved primarily to KTVE in 1972, while NBC programming moved to KLAA in 1974. KNOE nevertheless remained a major CBS outlet and, for many years, was also carried by cable systems serving parts of central Louisiana and the Alexandria area. The Noe family retained ownership for more than five decades. Following the death of James A. Noe Sr. in 1976, ownership passed to his son, James “Jimmie” Noe Jr. After the family’s decision to leave broadcasting, KNOE-TV was sold to Hoak Media in 2007. Gray Television announced its acquisition of Hoak Media in 2013, returning Gray to the Monroe–El Dorado market after its earlier ownership of KTVE. Gray subsequently became the station’s long-term corporate owner and later operated under the Gray Media name. KNOE-TV has expanded its reach through digital broadcasting, subchannels, and translators. It began carrying syndicated programming in high definition in 2010 and launched local high-definition news in January 2011, becoming the first station in the Ark-La-Miss region to do so according to the station’s historical account. After the 2014 shutdown of former ABC outlet KAQY, much of that station’s programming was moved to a KNOE digital subchannel. The station has also carried CW Plus and MyNetworkTV programming on digital services at different points, while KCWL-LD has been used to relay a KNOE digital subchannel. Local journalism is central to the brand. KNOE-TV’s news operation, branded KNOE 8 News, produces morning, midday, evening, and late-night broadcasts under the Good Morning Ark-La-Miss and KNOE 8 News identities. The newsroom has received state, regional, and national recognition, including the 2008 Alfred I. duPont–Columbia University Award for an investigative series concerning Louisiana National Guard members accused of looting during their deployment after Hurricane Katrina. In sports, KNOE-TV reached an agreement with the New Orleans Pelicans to televise selected games during the 2023–24 season and later became part of the broader Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network arrangement for Pelicans games during the 2024–25 season.
History
KNOE-TV began broadcasting on September 27, 1953, as a Monroe station owned by former Louisiana governor James A. Noe Sr. The station was paired with Noe’s AM and FM radio properties and was built to serve northern Louisiana. Its original 774-foot tower was an especially prominent technical installation for the period. KNOE-TV’s arrival was followed by the departure of KFAZ, making KNOE the area’s surviving early television service. The station initially participated in the rapidly developing American network system. Over its early years it carried programming associated with DuMont, CBS, NBC, and ABC, as well as a brief NTA Film Network affiliation. In the 1960s it presented a combination of ABC and CBS programming. As competitors and new outlets developed, KTVE assumed a primary ABC role in 1972 and KLAA began carrying NBC programming in 1974. KNOE continued as a major CBS affiliate and maintained broad regional visibility through cable carriage, including in parts of central Louisiana. KNOE expanded its service area by establishing an El Dorado translator in 1969. The translator, originally identified as K18AB and later converted to digital operation as K20OC-D, helped extend the station’s signal into southeast Arkansas. The station also developed additional digital services as broadcasting moved from analog to digital distribution. KNOE-TV ended analog transmission on February 17, 2009, and its digital signal ultimately operated on VHF channel 8. It introduced syndicated programming in high definition in 2010 and local news in high definition in January 2011. The Noe family remained involved in the station until 2007. After James A. Noe Sr.’s death in 1976, the property passed to his son, James “Jimmie” Noe Jr. Jimmie Noe died in 2005, and the family subsequently chose to exit broadcasting. Hoak Media completed its purchase of KNOE-TV on October 3, 2007. Gray Television announced its purchase of Hoak Media in November 2013, in a transaction that also involved other regional broadcasting assets. Regulatory scrutiny surrounding local marketing agreements affected the treatment of another Monroe-area station, KAQY; KNOE ultimately did not retain an operational agreement with KAQY’s new owner. KAQY ceased broadcasting in September 2014, after which programming was distributed through KNOE’s digital platform. KNOE’s multicast strategy continued to change. CW Plus programming was carried on a digital subchannel for a period, and Gray added MyNetworkTV programming to KNOE-DT3 in late 2017. Low-power station KCWL-LD has also been used to simulcast a KNOE digital service in high definition. These arrangements allowed the station group to offer multiple programming streams without requiring additional full-power stations. News has remained the station’s principal local identity. KNOE’s newsroom operates under the KNOE 8 News brand and produces Good Morning Ark-La-Miss, noon and evening newscasts, and weekend broadcasts. The operation has received numerous journalism awards. Its 2008 Alfred I. duPont–Columbia University Award recognized an investigative series by news director Taylor Henry concerning alleged looting by rogue Louisiana National Guard members during post-Hurricane Katrina deployment. The station also gained national entertainment exposure when an episode of Duck Dynasty was filmed largely at its studios and broadcast in 2014, although network-identifying marks were obscured in the program. In sports distribution, KNOE-TV announced a deal to broadcast 10 New Orleans Pelicans games during the 2023–24 season. In September 2024, Gray and the Pelicans announced the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network, a larger arrangement covering nearly all Pelicans games in the 2024–25 season across participating Gray stations in the Gulf South, including KNOE-TV. The station remains an active CBS and ABC affiliate serving Monroe, El Dorado, and surrounding communities.
- 2024
Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network announced
[1]Gray and the Pelicans announced a broader regional sports-distribution network covering participating Gray stations including KNOE-TV.
- 2023
Pelicans broadcast agreement
[1]KNOE-TV was included in Gray’s agreement to broadcast 10 New Orleans Pelicans games during the 2023–24 season.
- 2017
MyNetworkTV joins the digital lineup
[1]KNOE-DT3 began carrying MyNetworkTV programming.
- 2014
KAQY leaves the air
[1]After KAQY signed off, programming was redistributed to KNOE-TV digital services.
- 2013
Gray Television announces Hoak acquisition
[1]Gray Television announced its purchase of Hoak Media, including KNOE-TV.
- 2011
Local news launches in high definition
[1]KNOE-TV began airing local newscasts and field reports in high definition on January 17.
- 2010
Syndicated programming moves to high definition
[1]The station began broadcasting syndicated programming in high definition.
- 2009
Analog transmission ends
[1]KNOE-TV shut down its analog VHF channel 8 signal and continued as a digital station.
- 2007
Hoak Media completes acquisition
[1]The Noe family’s ownership ended when Hoak Media completed its purchase of KNOE-TV on October 3.
- 1974
NBC programming moves to KLAA
[1]KLAA’s sign-on ended KNOE-TV’s role as a regular NBC outlet in the market.
Products and positioning
A locally focused, news-led broadcast station serving the Ark-La-Miss region, combining CBS and ABC network affiliation with regional weather, public-affairs coverage, digital multicast services, and community-oriented local journalism.
Local television news
KNOE 8 News
KNOE-TV’s core local-news service, covering Monroe, northeast Louisiana, southeast Arkansas, weather, traffic, public affairs, and regional events. The service includes weekday morning, noon, evening, and late-night broadcasts, along with weekend newscasts. Its reporting operation has received state, regional, and national recognition, including a 2008 Alfred I. duPont–Columbia University Award.
Morning television news
Good Morning Ark-La-Miss
KNOE-TV’s weekday morning newscast, focused on early-day local news, weather, traffic, and community information for the Ark-La-Miss region. A portion of the program has also been simulcast on a KNOE digital subchannel.
Network television · 1953
CBS and ABC affiliate programming
KNOE-TV distributes CBS and ABC network programming to its Monroe–El Dorado service area. The station’s network history has also included earlier affiliations or programming relationships with NBC, DuMont, and the NTA Film Network.
Digital television
Digital multicast services
KNOE-TV operates multiple digital services and uses related low-power facilities to extend or relay programming. Its multicast history has included CW Plus, MyNetworkTV, syndicated programming, and programming formerly associated with KAQY.
Sports television · 2023
Regional Pelicans broadcasts
KNOE-TV participates in Gray’s regional distribution of selected New Orleans Pelicans games. The arrangement began with a limited 2023–24 schedule and was expanded through the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network for the 2024–25 season.
Brand decisions
2024
Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment NetworkProduct launchBackground
Gray and the New Orleans Pelicans expanded their earlier game-broadcast relationship across Gray-owned stations in the Gulf South.
Action taken
They announced a network intended to broadcast nearly all 2024–25 Pelicans games on participating stations, including KNOE-TV.
Aftermath
KNOE-TV gained a recurring regional sports offering alongside its network and local-news programming.
2023
Initial New Orleans Pelicans carriage agreementStrategyBackground
Gray sought to provide regional over-the-air distribution for selected professional sports programming.
Action taken
KNOE-TV joined Gray stations carrying 10 New Orleans Pelicans games during the 2023–24 season.
Aftermath
The limited arrangement preceded a broader regional sports network agreement for the following season.
2017
MyNetworkTV added to KNOE-DT3Product launchBackground
The KNOE-DT3 schedule had been carrying paid programming as part of the national CW Plus schedule.
Action taken
Gray added MyNetworkTV programming to the digital subchannel, airing the block during overnight hours.
Aftermath
KNOE became the market’s third station to carry MyNetworkTV programming, despite later changes to the market’s CW distribution.
2014
Redistribution of KAQY programmingStrategyBackground
Regulatory scrutiny of local marketing agreements affected plans involving former ABC affiliate KAQY.
Action taken
After KAQY signed off, KNOE-TV moved its programming to a digital subchannel and reorganized other multicast services.
Aftermath
KNOE expanded its digital-subchannel role in the market while declining to maintain operational agreements with KAQY’s new owner.
2013
Gray Television acquires Hoak MediaM&ABackground
Gray Television sought to expand its station portfolio through the acquisition of Hoak Media and related broadcasting assets.
Action taken
Gray announced an agreement to purchase Hoak Media, bringing KNOE-TV under Gray ownership.
Aftermath
The transaction returned Gray to the Monroe–El Dorado market and established the ownership structure under which KNOE-TV continues to operate.
Transaction value. $335 million (Announced November 20, 2013)
2007
Exit from Noe family ownershipM&ABackground
Following the death of Jimmie Noe in 2005, the Noe family decided to leave the broadcasting business after more than five decades of ownership.
Action taken
The family sold KNOE-TV to Dallas-based Hoak Media; the transaction closed on October 3, 2007.
Aftermath
KNOE-TV became part of a larger broadcast group and later passed to Gray Television through Gray’s acquisition of Hoak Media.
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