KTSM-TV

KTSM-TV is a commercial television station in El Paso, Texas, broadcasting on channel 9 and affiliated with NBC. The station serves the cross-border El Paso–Las Cruces–Ciudad Juárez media market, one of the most distinctive television regions in the United States because of its bilingual, binational audience and proximity to the United States–Mexico border. KTSM-TV is owned by Nexstar Media Group, a large American television-station operator, and its programming identity combines NBC network content with locally produced news, weather, traffic, sports, public-affairs programming and community coverage. The station began broadcasting on January 4, 1953, as El Paso's second television station. It was established by the Tri-State Broadcasting Company, which already operated KTSM radio. From its launch, KTSM-TV carried NBC programming and shared facilities with the radio station at 801 Oregon Street. Early local programming included children's television, while the station developed into a full-service network affiliate with a substantial local-news operation. A defining technical and institutional feature of KTSM-TV's history is its transmitter site in the Franklin Mountains. The station initially transmitted from land near an El Paso Electric Company facility, but it later moved toward Ranger Peak. To support construction and continuing access to the mountaintop transmitter, the owners built an aerial tramway. The facility entered service in 1959, and the tramway subsequently opened to tourists, becoming the attraction now known as the Wyler Aerial Tramway. The project linked the station's engineering infrastructure with a prominent El Paso landmark. For much of the 1970s and 1980s, KTSM-TV competed with KDBC-TV and KVIA-TV for local-news viewers, usually placing second or third. The station's ownership changed direction after the death of long-serving controlling owner Karl O. Wyler in 1990. Wyler left his interest in the broadcasting company and the tramway to a foundation associated with the El Paso Community Foundation. After acquiring the remaining interests, the foundation recruited Richard Pearson, previously the general manager of rival KVIA-TV, to reorganize KTSM-TV. The station adopted the TSM identity in 1992 and improved its competitive position during the decade. In 1997, the KTSM stations were sold to Communications Corporation of America, commonly known as ComCorp. The radio assets were later separated, while KTSM-TV remained a television operation with a significant local-news emphasis. ComCorp also used the station's infrastructure for regional news-production and service arrangements, including a relationship with KDBC-TV from 2009 to 2014 and production support for KVEO-TV in the Rio Grande Valley from 2010 to 2020. Nexstar Broadcasting Group announced its acquisition of ComCorp's stations in 2013, and the transaction received Federal Communications Commission approval in December 2014. KTSM-TV consequently became part of Nexstar's national station portfolio. The station moved its El Paso facilities to the west side of the city in 2018. It has continued to operate as an NBC affiliate and local-news brand, while also contributing reporting to Nexstar initiatives such as Border Report. In 2025, KTSM-TV expanded its morning programming with a new show hosted by Mike and Tricia, recognizable to local viewers from their earlier radio work.

KTSM-TV traces its origins to Tri-State Broadcasting Company, operator of El Paso radio station KTSM. Tri-State filed with the Federal Communications Commission in June 1952 for a construction permit to use channel 9, and the FCC approved the application that August. The station transmitted test patterns beginning December 31, 1952, and formally launched on January 4, 1953. It was the city's second television station and joined NBC from its first day on air. Its original studios were at 801 Oregon Street, in a building designed with television expansion in mind, including space for control and film facilities. The station's early transmitter was located near an El Paso Electric Company power plant on Santa Fe Street. Seeking improved coverage, KTSM-TV applied in 1958 to relocate its transmitter to Ranger Peak in the Franklin Mountains. Rather than rely on a conventional mountain road, the owners developed an aerial tramway to carry workers, equipment and construction materials. The new transmitter facility became operational in December 1959, and the tramway began carrying tourists shortly afterward. It later became known as the Wyler Aerial Tramway. KTSM expanded its broadcasting footprint through the launch of KTSM-FM in 1962, a studio expansion in 1967 and a power increase to the maximum permitted effective radiated power in 1973. In 1970, it temporarily carried Sesame Street because El Paso did not yet have a public television station. Karl O. Wyler was the central figure in the station's first decades. He had launched KTSM radio in 1929 and became majority owner of Tri-State in 1951. Under Wyler, KTSM-TV remained a durable NBC affiliate but generally competed from behind KDBC-TV and KVIA-TV in local-news ratings. By the mid-1980s, the market had developed a close three-station contest, although KTSM had weaker audience shares among Hispanic viewers than its principal competitors. Wyler died in December 1990 after nearly four decades of influence over the station. He left his 55 percent interest in Tri-State, together with the tramway, to the Glyn Wyler and Karl O. Wyler Foundation, a supporting organization of the El Paso Community Foundation. The foundation acquired the other Tri-State interests in 1991 and hired Richard Pearson, then the successful general manager of KVIA-TV, to improve KTSM's performance. Pearson brought several experienced KVIA employees with him, and the reorganized operation adopted the TSM brand in August 1992. The station became a more serious local-news competitor during the 1990s. A management-buyout effort in 1996 was complicated by the nonprofit ownership structure. Following a citizen's complaint, the Texas Attorney General's office determined that bids had to be solicited. Communications Corporation of America won the resulting process and acquired the KTSM stations for $30 million. ComCorp later sold the radio properties to Clear Channel Communications, leaving KTSM-TV as the principal television asset. During ComCorp's ownership, the station managed a local marketing arrangement involving KKWB-TV and developed shared-service relationships. It provided advertising and newscast-production support to KDBC-TV from 2009 until 2014, while also producing news for KVEO-TV in Brownsville from 2010 through 2020. Nexstar Broadcasting Group announced a $270 million acquisition of ComCorp in April 2013. The FCC approved the transaction in December 2014, making KTSM-TV part of Nexstar's national portfolio. The station relocated its facilities in 2018. Nexstar also used El Paso-based reporting in its Border Report digital initiative, which grew from a 2019 visit by senior company executives to KTSM. After Nexstar acquired the facilities of KGBT-TV in Harlingen in 2020, KVEO's news operation was combined with that station's operation, ending KTSM's El Paso-based production role for KVEO. KTSM-TV remains an NBC affiliate serving a multilingual border market through broadcast and digital platforms.

1. 2025New morning newscast launches

   KTSM introduced a new morning program hosted by Mike and Tricia.

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2. 2018West-side facility opens

   KTSM-TV moved its studios and operations to a site near Sunland Park Drive.

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3. 2014Nexstar ownership begins

   The FCC approved Nexstar's acquisition of ComCorp stations, including KTSM-TV.

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4. 2009KDBC shared-services arrangement begins

   ComCorp began supplying advertising and newscast-production services to KDBC-TV from KTSM's facilities.

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5. 1997ComCorp ownership begins

   Communications Corporation of America acquired the KTSM stations after a competitive sale process.

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6. 1992TSM rebrand

   The station and its operating company adopted the TSM identity during a management-led turnaround.

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7. 1991Foundation acquires full Tri-State ownership

   The El Paso Community Foundation affiliate acquired the remaining interests in Tri-State after Karl O. Wyler's bequest.

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8. 1959Franklin Mountains transmitter enters service

   A new mountaintop transmitter at Ranger Peak became operational, supported by the aerial tramway later known as the Wyler Aerial Tramway.

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9. 1953Regular broadcasting begins

   KTSM-TV launched on January 4 as El Paso's second television station and an NBC affiliate.

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10. 1952FCC construction permit filed and approved

    Tri-State Broadcasting Company filed for an El Paso television station on channel 9, and the FCC approved the application later that year.

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A locally focused NBC affiliate built around news, weather and community service for the El Paso–Las Cruces–Ciudad Juárez market.

• KTSM local newsTelevision news1953

  KTSM's principal branded offering is its locally produced news operation, covering El Paso, southern New Mexico, the border region and nearby communities. Its output includes scheduled morning, daytime, evening and late-night newscasts, with reporting focused on local government, public safety, weather, transportation, business, education and community affairs. The operation has also supported regional news production for other stations at different points in the station's history.

• NBC network serviceNetwork-affiliated television programming1953

  KTSM-TV has been affiliated with NBC since its first day of broadcasting. The service gives viewers access to NBC entertainment, news, sports and special-event programming, supplemented by KTSM's local programming and station branding.

• KTSM digital news and videoDigital media

  Through its website and associated digital channels, KTSM distributes breaking-news reports, video clips, weather information, traffic updates and community coverage beyond scheduled linear broadcasts. The digital operation extends the station's role as a news source for a geographically dispersed and cross-border audience.

• KTSM morning newscastMorning television programming2025

  In 2025, KTSM introduced a new morning newscast featuring Mike and Tricia. The program builds on their previous local radio audience and adds a personality-led format to the station's morning news schedule.

• 2025Launch a new morning newscastProduct launch

  KTSM sought to expand its morning programming and use established local media personalities.

  What changed. The station launched a morning newscast led by Mike and Tricia.

  Aftermath. The program added a new personality-driven component to KTSM's local-news schedule.

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• 2013Sell ComCorp to NexstarM&A

  Communications Corporation of America elected to sell its television-station portfolio.

  What changed. ComCorp announced a sale of its stations to Nexstar Broadcasting Group for $270 million.

  Aftermath. After FCC approval in 2014, KTSM-TV joined the Nexstar station group.

  Transaction value. $270 million announced purchase price (2013 announcement)

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• 2009Share news-production resources with KDBC-TVStrategy

  KDBC had experienced a prolonged decline in local-news ratings and operational cutbacks.

  What changed. ComCorp provided advertising sales and newscast-production services from KTSM's studios while KDBC retained separate branded newscasts.

  Aftermath. The arrangement continued until 2014, when Sinclair's acquisition of KDBC changed the competitive structure of the market.

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• 2009Provide news production for KVEO-TVStrategy

  ComCorp sought to centralize some news-production functions while retaining local reporting in the Rio Grande Valley.

  What changed. KTSM's personalities presented newscasts incorporating reports filed by KVEO's local Brownsville-area reporters.

  Aftermath. The El Paso-based production arrangement continued until 2020, when Nexstar combined KVEO's news operation with KGBT-TV's facilities in Harlingen.

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• 1992Rebrand as TSM during management turnaroundStrategy

  After foundation ownership took control, the station faced weak news ratings and personnel instability.

  What changed. General manager Richard Pearson reorganized the operation and introduced the TSM identity.

  Aftermath. KTSM became a stronger contender in El Paso local-news ratings during the 1990s.

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• 1958Move the transmitter to the Franklin MountainsStrategy

  The original transmitter site did not provide the coverage advantages available from the Franklin Mountains.

  What changed. KTSM-TV developed a new Ranger Peak transmitter facility and built an aerial tramway to move equipment and personnel to the mountaintop.

  Aftermath. The transmitter entered service in 1959, and the tramway later became a public tourist attraction.

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• 2025KTSM-TV launches a new morning newscast

  The station introduced a morning program hosted by Mike and Tricia, who had previously presented a long-running morning radio show on KSII.

  Product launchLeadership change
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• 2018KTSM-TV relocates its El Paso operations

  The station moved to a facility near Sunland Park Drive on El Paso's west side.

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• 2014Nexstar completes acquisition of ComCorp stations

  Nexstar's purchase of Communications Corporation of America received FCC approval, bringing KTSM-TV into the Nexstar station group.

  M&A
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• 2010KTSM-TV begins producing news for KVEO-TV

  KTSM became a production center for newscasts shown on ComCorp-owned KVEO-TV in Brownsville, with Rio Grande Valley reporting supplied by local staff.

  Other
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• 1997Communications Corporation of America acquires KTSM-TV

  ComCorp purchased the KTSM stations after a sale process involving competing bids and later separated the radio properties from the television station.

  M&A
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• 1992KTSM-TV adopts the TSM identity

  Following foundation ownership and a management overhaul, the station rebranded on air as TSM.

  Other
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• 1959KTSM-TV moves its transmitter to the Franklin Mountains

  The station placed a new transmitter facility into service at Ranger Peak after construction supported by an aerial tramway.

  Other
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• 1953KTSM-TV begins broadcasting as El Paso's second television station

  The station began regular broadcasting on January 4, 1953, as an NBC affiliate operated by Tri-State Broadcasting Company.

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1. KTSM-TV
2. Official KTSM-TV website