KOAT-TV

KOAT-TV is a commercial television station based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and a local broadcast brand operated by Hearst Television. It broadcasts on channel 7 and is primarily affiliated with the ABC television network. The station's programming identity is commonly presented through the Action 7 News brand, under which it produces local news, weather, sports, public-affairs coverage, and other regionally focused content. Reference material also identifies a planned CBS affiliation for the station's fourth digital subchannel beginning August 1, 2026, following an affiliation change involving Nexstar-owned stations. KOAT-TV began broadcasting on October 2, 1953, shortly after the Federal Communications Commission ended its postwar freeze on new television-station licenses. It was the second television station to sign on in Albuquerque and was established as an extension of radio station KOAT. The station selected channel 7 after changing its original application from channel 13, avoiding a direct licensing conflict with another applicant. It joined ABC at launch and briefly carried DuMont programming during the mid-1950s. The station experienced serious financial problems during its first years. After its original owner sold the radio properties, KOAT-TV entered bankruptcy reorganization in 1955. Clinton D. McKinnon, who owned broadcasting interests in Arizona, acquired the station for a nominal purchase price while assuming substantial liabilities. Under McKinnon, KOAT expanded its technical infrastructure, including a microwave connection to Phoenix for ABC network programming and a transmitter project at Sandia Crest. In 1962, McKinnon sold the station and related assets to Steinman Stations. Pulitzer Publishing acquired KOAT-TV in 1968, and Pulitzer later invested in larger studios on Carlisle Boulevard and Comanche Road. The current facility, completed in 1980, was designed by Albuquerque architect Antoine Predock and included a helipad that supported the station's news operation. KOAT's local-news operation became its central competitive advantage. After a period of close competition with KOB-TV during the late 1960s and early 1970s, KOAT established a ratings lead in 1976. The station's performance was supported by long-serving on-air figures, including anchor Dick Knipfing and weather presenter Howard Morgan. Although Knipfing temporarily left for a rival station and became involved in a dispute over a contractual non-compete provision, KOAT retained its leading position and later rehired him. The station expanded its schedule with an early-evening newscast in 1990 and a morning program in 1994. KOAT broadened its geographic reach through regional bureaus, translators, and satellite operations. It acquired southeastern New Mexico station KVIO-TV in 1993, using it as a satellite operation, and operated additional satellite stations before replacing some of them with translator licenses. Today, the station's main signal originates from Sandia Crest and is supplemented by 27 translators serving large parts of New Mexico as well as portions of Colorado and Arizona. KOAT completed the United States' federally mandated transition from analog to digital broadcasting on June 12, 2009, moving its digital signal to VHF channel 7. Hearst-Argyle Television acquired Pulitzer's broadcasting properties in 1998, and KOAT subsequently became part of Hearst Television. In addition to conventional over-the-air and cable distribution, KOAT began streaming its newscasts and other locally produced programs through Hearst's Very Local service in September 2021. In 2025, the station announced an agreement with the Albuquerque Isotopes to televise 12 Minor League Baseball games, divided between the main station and its True Crime Network digital subchannel. KOAT remains a major local news provider in the Albuquerque–Santa Fe market and maintains a broad regional distribution footprint.

KOAT-TV traces its origins to Alvarado Broadcasting Company, owner of Albuquerque radio station KOAT. Following the FCC's 1952 decision to resume issuing commercial television licenses after a four-year freeze, Albuquerque received authorization for additional television channels, including channels 7 and 13. Alvarado changed its pending application from channel 13 to channel 7, avoiding a licensing conflict with another applicant. The FCC granted the construction permit on June 18, 1953. The company expanded its radio facilities on Tulane Avenue to accommodate television production and built a transmitter site west of Albuquerque. Although the station planned to launch in September, equipment delays postponed the debut. KOAT-TV ultimately went on air on October 2, 1953, two days before channel 13. It adopted ABC as its principal network affiliation and carried DuMont programming for a short period between 1954 and DuMont's closure in 1955. The first years were financially unstable. After Alvarado sold its radio stations in 1954, KOAT-TV reduced its locally produced schedule and entered bankruptcy reorganization in April 1955. The restructuring added new shareholders, including Albuquerque Exhibitors, which became the largest investor at that stage. The station also pursued approval to move its transmitter to Sandia Crest, a stronger high-elevation site already used by other Albuquerque broadcasters. The FCC approved the move in 1956. Clinton D. McKinnon, a former congressman and owner of KVOA radio and television interests in Tucson, acquired KOAT-TV during the crisis. He paid a nominal amount while assuming the station's debts, which exceeded its assets. McKinnon merged the corporate structures associated with KOAT-TV and KVOA-TV in 1959. During his ownership, KOAT developed a microwave relay to Phoenix to receive ABC programming and began constructing larger facilities on Albuquerque's northeast side. Before those projects were completed, McKinnon sold the station to Steinman Stations in 1962. Steinman owned KOAT-TV for approximately five years. Pulitzer Publishing acquired the station in 1968 and subsequently invested in its facilities and news operation. Pulitzer sold the previous University Boulevard studios in the late 1970s and built a much larger complex at Carlisle Boulevard and Comanche Road. Completed in 1980, the facility was designed by Antoine Predock and included a helipad supporting television news-gathering operations. KOAT's news service became increasingly influential in the Albuquerque–Santa Fe market. After close competition with KOB-TV in the late 1960s and early 1970s, KOAT achieved a decisive ratings breakthrough in 1976. Long-serving personalities such as anchor Dick Knipfing and weather presenter Howard Morgan helped create continuity. Knipfing's 1979 move to KOB-TV produced a legal dispute over a non-compete clause, but KOAT remained competitive and later regained his services. The station introduced a 5 p.m. newscast in 1990 and a morning program in 1994, later known as Good Morning New Mexico and then under Action 7 News branding. The station expanded regional coverage through a Roswell bureau opened in 1991 and through satellite and translator operations. In 1993, KOAT acquired KVIO-TV, extending its ABC service into southeastern New Mexico. Hearst-Argyle Television acquired Pulitzer's broadcasting assets in 1998, making KOAT part of the Hearst television portfolio. Several satellite licenses were later surrendered or canceled, with translator operations used in parts of the former coverage areas. KOAT ended analog transmission on June 12, 2009, as part of the United States digital transition. Its digital operation ultimately used VHF channel 7. The station's main transmitter remains on Sandia Crest, and its signal is supplemented by 27 translators reaching New Mexico and portions of neighboring states. Since September 2021, KOAT has distributed newscasts and selected local programming through Very Local. In 2025, it announced a local sports broadcasting arrangement with the Albuquerque Isotopes. Reference material further identifies August 1, 2026, as the planned start date for a CBS affiliation on the station's fourth digital subchannel.

• 2025

  Albuquerque Isotopes broadcast agreement

  [1]KOAT-TVen.wikipedia.org

  KOAT announced plans to televise 12 Isotopes games across its main service and a digital subchannel.

• 2021

  Very Local streaming launch

  [1]KOAT-TVen.wikipedia.org

  KOAT began distributing local news and other original content through Very Local.

• 2009

  Digital television transition

  [1]KOAT-TVen.wikipedia.org

  KOAT shut down its analog signal and continued digital broadcasting on VHF channel 7.

• 1998

  Hearst-Argyle ownership begins

  [1]KOAT-TVen.wikipedia.org

  Hearst-Argyle acquired Pulitzer's broadcast holdings, including KOAT-TV.

• 1993

  KVIO-TV acquisition

  [1]KOAT-TVen.wikipedia.org

  KOAT acquired KVIO-TV as a satellite serving southeastern New Mexico.

• 1980

  New Carlisle Boulevard studios completed

  [1]KOAT-TVen.wikipedia.org

  The station moved into a substantially expanded facility designed by Antoine Predock.

• 1976

  News ratings breakthrough

  [1]KOAT-TVen.wikipedia.org

  KOAT established a clear local-news ratings lead after years of competition with KOB-TV.

• 1968

  Pulitzer Publishing acquisition

  [1]KOAT-TVen.wikipedia.org

  Pulitzer Publishing agreed to purchase KOAT-TV from Steinman Stations.

• 1962

  Steinman Stations acquisition

  [1]KOAT-TVen.wikipedia.org

  Steinman Stations acquired KOAT-TV from McKinnon interests.

• 1956

  Sandia Crest transmitter approved

  [1]KOAT-TVen.wikipedia.org

  The FCC approved relocation of the transmitter to Sandia Crest, improving regional coverage.

• 1955

  Bankruptcy reorganization

  [1]KOAT-TVen.wikipedia.org

  The station entered bankruptcy reorganization after early operating and financial difficulties.

• 1953

  KOAT-TV signs on

  [1]KOAT-TVen.wikipedia.org

  KOAT-TV began broadcasting on October 2 as Albuquerque's second television station and an ABC affiliate.

A leading regional television news and broadcast brand for Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and surrounding communities, combining ABC network programming with locally produced news, weather, sports, and public-service content.

• Local television news

  Action 7 News

  KOAT-TV's principal local-news identity, covering breaking news, politics, public safety, community issues, consumer stories, and regional events in the Albuquerque–Santa Fe market. The brand is supported by live reporting, studio newscasts, digital articles, video clips, and weather coverage.

• Morning news · 1994

  Action 7 News More in the Morning

  KOAT's morning news service, historically introduced as Good Morning New Mexico and later rebranded under the Action 7 News identity. It combines local headlines, weather, traffic, interviews, consumer information, and regional updates for viewers beginning their day.

• Weather programming

  KOAT local weather

  A recurring local-weather offering focused on New Mexico's varied terrain and weather conditions, including forecasts, severe-weather alerts, traffic impacts, and conditions affecting communities across the station's broad translator network.

• Network television · 1953

  ABC network programming

  KOAT's primary network service consists of ABC programming distributed through the station's broadcast signal and related platforms. The affiliation has been central to the station's identity since its 1953 launch, aside from a brief period when it also carried DuMont programming.

• Streaming media · 2021

  Very Local content

  Since 2021, KOAT has supplied newscasts and other locally produced material to Very Local, Hearst Television's over-the-top streaming service. This extends the station's local programming beyond conventional broadcast, cable, and website distribution.

• 2025Albuquerque Isotopes television partnership

  Albuquerque · New Mexico

  KOAT announced a partnership to broadcast 12 games featuring the Albuquerque Isotopes, with the schedule shared between KOAT-TV and its True Crime Network digital subchannel.

  Outcome. The arrangement expanded KOAT's local sports offering and connected the station with a prominent Albuquerque professional sports property.

  Source

• 2026

  Planned CBS affiliation on fourth digital subchannelStrategy

  Background

  Reference material describes a market affiliation realignment involving Nexstar Media Group-owned stations and four Hearst-owned stations.

  Action taken

  KOAT-TV's fourth subchannel is scheduled to assume the CBS affiliation serving New Mexico on August 1, 2026.

  Aftermath

  If implemented as described, the change would broaden KOAT's network portfolio while preserving its primary ABC service.

  Source

• 2021

  Expansion into Very Local streamingProduct launch

  Background

  Hearst Television developed Very Local as an over-the-top outlet for locally produced programming.

  Action taken

  KOAT began streaming its newscasts and other local content through the service.

  Aftermath

  The station gained an additional digital distribution channel beyond its broadcast signal and website.

  Source

• 1998

  Transition to Hearst ownershipM&A

  Background

  Pulitzer Publishing decided to sell its broadcasting holdings.

  Action taken

  Hearst-Argyle Television acquired Pulitzer's broadcast portfolio, including KOAT-TV.

  Aftermath

  KOAT became part of the Hearst television group and remains operated by Hearst Television.

  Source

• 1962

  Sale to Steinman StationsM&A

  Background

  McKinnon interests faced pressure from partners seeking to liquidate their holdings while KOAT was expanding its facilities and network-delivery infrastructure.

  Action taken

  KOAT-TV and related television assets were sold to Steinman Stations.

  Aftermath

  The transaction placed the station under Pennsylvania-based broadcast ownership before its later sale to Pulitzer Publishing.

  Reported transaction value. $3.5 million (1962)

  Source

• 1955

  Bankruptcy reorganizationOther

  Background

  KOAT-TV faced severe financial pressure during its first two years and had sharply reduced its live local programming.

  Action taken

  The station filed for bankruptcy reorganization and brought in new shareholders.

  Aftermath

  The restructuring did not fully resolve the station's finances, leading to a subsequent acquisition by Clinton D. McKinnon.

  Source

• 1953

  Switch from channel 13 application to channel 7Strategy

  Background

  Alvarado Broadcasting originally sought channel 13, but another applicant's presence created a potential conflict.

  Action taken

  The company amended its application to specify channel 7, leaving the application unopposed after competing interests withdrew.

  Aftermath

  The FCC granted the construction permit in June 1953, enabling KOAT-TV to launch later that year.

  Source

1. 1KOAT-TVen.wikipedia.org
2. 2KOAT-TV official websitekoat.com