KRIS-TV

KRIS-TV is a full-power television station serving Corpus Christi, Texas, and surrounding communities in South Texas. Broadcasting on virtual channel 6, the station is affiliated with NBC and operates under the KRIS 6 brand. Its studios are located on Artesian Street in downtown Corpus Christi, while its primary transmission facilities are in the Robstown area. The station is owned by The E. W. Scripps Company and operates alongside low-power Telemundo affiliate and independent station K22JA-D. Scripps also provides specified operational services to CBS affiliate KZTV through a shared services agreement with KZTV's licensee, SagamoreHill Broadcasting. KRIS-TV began broadcasting on May 23, 1956, becoming the first VHF television station in the Corpus Christi area. It has been an NBC affiliate throughout its history. During its early years, the station also carried some ABC programming on a secondary basis until KIII began broadcasting in 1964. KRIS briefly carried selected Fox programming as a secondary affiliate in the late 1980s and early 1990s, but that arrangement ended as other Fox distribution options became available in the market. The station has also played a role in local television innovation and industry change. In 1996, after a long-standing United States television-industry prohibition on hard-liquor advertising was lifted, KRIS aired a Crown Royal whiskey commercial and was described as the first American television station to do so. In 1998, it began distributing WB programming through the cable-exclusive WB 100+ service, using the fictional identification KWDB. That service became KRIS-DT2 when The CW launched in 2006, giving viewers an over-the-air outlet for the new network. The CW affiliation later ended after Scripps stations were not renewed by the network; the affiliation was transferred to KSCC in 2024. KRIS's local news operation is a central part of the brand. Its programming includes morning, midday, evening, weekend, and late-evening newscasts, with some broadcasts also carried by KZTV and other local digital outlets. The station consolidated news operations with KZTV after the two companies entered a shared-services relationship. In 2010, KRIS introduced a new high-definition-ready studio and graphics package, followed by true high-definition news production in 2011. The news operation adopted the KRIS 6 News identity in 2014 and expanded its schedule during the following years. Since 2023, KZTV has simulcast KRIS newscasts under the KRIS 6 News on KZTV branding, and KZTV's former independent news operation was subsequently absorbed into the KRIS operation. The station's technical history includes the 2009 analog-to-digital transition and a serious transmission-tower collapse in 2020. The collapse was attributed to guy-wire failure during high winds, with later inspection identifying severe corrosion. KRIS temporarily used KZTV's transmission facilities before activating a replacement VHF facility in 2021 and moving to UHF channel 26 in 2022. Today, KRIS-TV combines NBC network programming, locally produced journalism, weather and public-service coverage, syndicated material, and digital distribution across the Corpus Christi market.

KRIS-TV signed on May 23, 1956, as the first VHF television station in the Corpus Christi market. The station launched as an NBC affiliate and has retained that primary network relationship throughout its history. Its original facilities were on South Staples Street in downtown Corpus Christi. In its first years, KRIS also carried selected ABC programming on a secondary basis, sharing that role with KZTV until KIII began operating in 1964. The station later carried a limited amount of Fox programming as a secondary affiliate during syndicated weekend hours in the late 1980s and early 1990s. That arrangement ended in 1991 as Fox programming became available through other distribution arrangements, including cable access to out-of-market affiliates and Foxnet. KRIS was also involved in the transition of American television advertising practices. In 1996, after the broadcasting industry's self-imposed ban on hard-liquor advertising was lifted, the station aired a Crown Royal commercial. The spot featured a puppy with a diploma and another carrying a Crown Royal bag, and the station was described as the first U.S. television station to broadcast a hard-liquor advertisement after the ban ended. In 1998, KRIS entered a partnership with The WB 100+, a cable-oriented programming service intended for smaller television markets. The service used the fictional call sign KWDB and was distributed through area cable systems, with KRIS handling local advertising and promotional responsibilities. When The WB and UPN were replaced by The CW in 2006, the outlet became KRIS-DT2 and joined The CW Plus, allowing the network to reach viewers over the air as well as through cable. In 2024, The CW ended its affiliation agreement with Scripps-owned stations, and the Corpus Christi affiliation moved toward KSCC under Sinclair's arrangement with the network. Ownership and operating relationships changed substantially in the 1990s and 2000s. Cordillera Communications acquired KRIS in 1998. In 2008, Cordillera announced plans to acquire KZTV from Eagle Creek Broadcasting, but objections delayed completion. The parties ultimately established a shared-services agreement in 2009, under which KZTV's license remained with Eagle Creek while operational functions were provided through the KRIS organization. The stations later consolidated news operations at KZTV's facilities in September 2010. Technical problems during the move temporarily interrupted newscasts, after which KRIS introduced a new high-definition-ready set and graphics package. KZTV began simulcasting selected KRIS newscasts later that year. KRIS moved to true high-definition news production in August 2011. In 2014, the news operation adopted the KRIS 6 News name, a new logo, and a revised opening. Additional expansions followed, including weekend late-evening news in 2014, weekend morning and Sunday afternoon broadcasts in 2015, and a longer midday newscast in 2018. In October 2023, KZTV began carrying KRIS-produced newscasts under the KRIS 6 News on KZTV label. By approximately mid-2024, KZTV's news staff had transferred into the KRIS operation and KZTV no longer maintained a separate news operation. On October 29, 2018, Cordillera announced the sale of most of its stations, including KRIS and its KZTV service arrangement, to The E. W. Scripps Company. The transaction closed on May 1, 2019. Scripps had previously owned the Corpus Christi Caller-Times from 1997 to 2015, making the acquisition a return to the market for the company. KRIS's technical infrastructure experienced a major disruption on April 29, 2020, when its broadcast tower collapsed during a high-wind event after a guy-wire failed. Subsequent inspection found heavy corrosion. No personnel were present at the site, and damage to the transmitter building was limited. KRIS and low-power sister station K22JA-D were temporarily multiplexed using KZTV's VHF channel 10 facility. The tower, constructed in 1988, had been subject to concerns about maintenance. An FCC investigation involving Cordillera-era antenna-structure management led to a reported $1.13 million fine against Scripps, which had accepted liability for the investigation as part of the 2019 station acquisition. The cited violations included missed daily lighting inspections, incomplete records of lighting failures, and delayed filings concerning antenna structures. KRIS activated a replacement facility on VHF channel 13 in March 2021 and moved to UHF channel 26 in February 2022. The station remains an active NBC broadcaster and regional news provider.

• 2024

  CW affiliation leaves KRIS-DT2

  [1]KRIS-TVen.wikipedia.org

  The CW ends its Scripps station affiliations, and the Corpus Christi affiliation is announced for KSCC.

• 2022

  Digital transmission moves to channel 26

  [1]KRIS-TVen.wikipedia.org

  KRIS completes a move to UHF channel 26 while retaining virtual channel 6.

• 2020

  Transmission tower collapses

  [1]KRIS-TVen.wikipedia.org

  A guy-wire failure during high winds causes the station's tower to collapse on April 29.

• 2019

  Scripps acquisition closes

  [1]KRIS-TVen.wikipedia.org

  The E. W. Scripps Company completes its acquisition of KRIS-TV on May 1.

• 2011

  News broadcasts move to true HD

  [1]KRIS-TVen.wikipedia.org

  KRIS begins producing its local newscasts in true high definition.

• 2009

  Shared-services agreement with KZTV

  [1]KRIS-TVen.wikipedia.org

  KRIS begins providing operational services to KZTV under an agreement involving Cordillera and Eagle Creek.

• 2006

  KRIS-DT2 joins The CW Plus

  [1]KRIS-TVen.wikipedia.org

  The former WB 100+ service becomes an over-the-air digital subchannel carrying The CW.

• 1998

  Cordillera Communications acquires KRIS

  [1]KRIS-TVen.wikipedia.org

  Cordillera Communications purchases the station and later develops operating ties with KZTV.

• 1964

  Secondary ABC carriage ends

  [1]KRIS-TVen.wikipedia.org

  KIII launches, ending the period in which KRIS and KZTV shared secondary ABC programming.

• 1956

  KRIS-TV launches

  [1]KRIS-TVen.wikipedia.org

  KRIS-TV begins broadcasting on May 23 as Corpus Christi's first VHF television station and an NBC affiliate.

A local broadcast news and NBC network television brand focused on Corpus Christi and South Texas, with emphasis on breaking news, weather, community information, and regional service.

• Local television news

  KRIS 6 News

  KRIS-TV's principal local-news franchise, covering breaking news, politics, public safety, community issues, weather, and regional events across Corpus Christi and South Texas. The franchise includes morning, midday, evening, weekend, and late-evening broadcasts and is also used for selected simulcasts on KZTV.

• Network television · 1956

  NBC programming

  KRIS-TV's primary network offering consists of NBC entertainment, news, sports, and special-event programming distributed to viewers in the Corpus Christi market.

• Digital subchannel · 1998

  KRIS-DT2 / former CW South Texas

  The digital subchannel originated as a local outlet for the WB 100+ service in 1998 and became a CW Plus outlet in 2006. Its CW affiliation ended after the network chose not to renew Scripps-owned stations in 2024.

• Simulcast local news · 2023

  KRIS 6 News on KZTV

  A KZTV-branded simulcast of KRIS-produced newscasts created through the stations' shared operating relationship. The arrangement replaced KZTV's former independent news output.

• FCC antenna-structure compliance case

  An FCC investigation into Cordillera-era management of broadcast towers identified missed lighting inspections, incomplete logging of lighting failures, and delayed notification concerning antenna structures. Scripps accepted liability for the investigation in connection with its acquisition of Cordillera stations and was later fined a reported $1.13 million.

  Source

Read more

• 2017Hurricane Harvey joint coverage

  Corpus Christi · South Texas

  KRIS-TV and KZTV combined their news teams and simulcast coverage to provide continuous information during Hurricane Harvey.

  Outcome. The joint presentation extended emergency and weather coverage across both stations during the storm.

  Source

• 2024

  End of CW affiliationStrategy

  Background

  The CW decided not to renew affiliations with Scripps-owned stations, including KRIS-DT2.

  Action taken

  The CW arranged for Sinclair to affiliate the network with KSCC in the Corpus Christi market.

  Aftermath

  KRIS-DT2 ceased to be the market's CW outlet, while KRIS's NBC service and local news operation continued.

  Source

• 2020

  Emergency response after tower collapseOther

  Background

  The station's primary broadcast tower collapsed after a guy-wire failed during a high-wind event.

  Action taken

  KRIS temporarily transmitted through KZTV's facilities and developed replacement transmission infrastructure.

  Aftermath

  A replacement VHF facility was activated in 2021, followed by a move to UHF channel 26 in 2022.

  Source

• 2019

  Sale to The E. W. Scripps CompanyM&A

  Background

  Cordillera Communications announced the sale of most of its television stations, including KRIS-TV and its KZTV service arrangement.

  Action taken

  Scripps completed the acquisition on May 1, 2019.

  Aftermath

  KRIS became part of Scripps's local television portfolio and Scripps assumed liability connected with the ongoing antenna-structure investigation.

  Source

• 2010

  Newsroom and studio consolidationStrategy

  Background

  The shared-services relationship created an opportunity to combine production facilities and news resources.

  Action taken

  KRIS moved operations to the KZTV studio complex and introduced a new high-definition-ready set and graphics package.

  Aftermath

  KZTV subsequently simulcast selected KRIS newscasts, while KRIS continued developing a shared regional news operation.

  Source

• 2009

  Shared-services agreement with KZTVStrategy

  Background

  A proposed Cordillera acquisition of KZTV was delayed by regulatory and competitive objections.

  Action taken

  KRIS and KZTV established a shared-services agreement while Eagle Creek retained KZTV's broadcast license.

  Aftermath

  The stations progressively consolidated facilities, news production, and selected programming operations.

  Source

• 1998

  Launch of WB 100+ cable outletStrategy

  Background

  The WB 100+ service was designed to deliver WB programming to smaller television markets through cable systems.

  Action taken

  KRIS partnered with the service, provided local advertising opportunities, and promoted the cable-exclusive KWDB outlet.

  Aftermath

  The outlet later became KRIS-DT2 and carried The CW Plus after the launch of The CW.

  Source

• 2024

  The CW affiliation moves from KRIS-DT2 to KSCC[1]KRIS-TVen.wikipedia.org

  Leadership change

  The CW declined to renew affiliations with Scripps-owned stations, including KRIS-DT2. Sinclair subsequently announced an agreement under which KSCC would become the Corpus Christi CW affiliate.

• 2023

  KZTV begins carrying KRIS newscasts[1]KRIS-TVen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  KZTV began simulcasting KRIS newscasts under the KRIS 6 News on KZTV identity, replacing its own local newscasts in the affected time periods.

• 2022

  KRIS moves to UHF channel 26[1]KRIS-TVen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The station moved its digital transmission to UHF channel 26 in February 2022 while retaining virtual channel 6.

• 2021

  KRIS launches replacement transmission facilities[1]KRIS-TVen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  KRIS activated a replacement transmission facility on VHF channel 13 in March 2021 following the 2020 tower collapse.

• 2020

  KRIS broadcast tower collapses[1]KRIS-TVen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The station's transmission tower collapsed on April 29, 2020, during high winds after a guy-wire failed. KRIS temporarily used KZTV's facilities while replacement transmission infrastructure was developed.

• 2019

  Scripps completes acquisition of KRIS-TV[1]KRIS-TVen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  The E. W. Scripps Company completed its acquisition of KRIS-TV and related station-service interests from Cordillera Communications on May 1, 2019.

• 2017

  KRIS-TV and KZTV simulcast Hurricane Harvey coverage[1]KRIS-TVen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The two Corpus Christi stations combined their news resources and simulcast coverage during Hurricane Harvey to extend information and emergency reporting across the market.

• 2009

  KRIS-TV and KZTV enter a shared-services arrangement[1]KRIS-TVen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  A shared-services agreement allowed KRIS's owner to provide operational services to KZTV while Eagle Creek Broadcasting retained KZTV's broadcast license.

• 1956

  KRIS-TV begins broadcasting in Corpus Christi[1]KRIS-TVen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  KRIS-TV began operations on May 23, 1956, becoming the first VHF television station in the Corpus Christi area and establishing its continuing NBC affiliation.

1. 1KRIS-TVen.wikipedia.org
2. 2KRIS-TV official websitekristv.com