KTVA
An Anchorage television station that currently retransmits PBS member station KAKM.
Last updated August 31, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
KTVA is a television station serving Anchorage, Alaska, and nearby communities in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. Operating on virtual channel 11, the station was established by Alaskan broadcasting pioneer August G. “Augie” Hiebert and began broadcasting on December 11, 1953. For most of its history KTVA was a commercial network affiliate, principally associated with CBS, and it became one of Anchorage’s long-running local television outlets. The station’s early operation reflected the logistical challenges of broadcasting in Alaska. Its original studios and offices occupied part of the McKinley Tower in Anchorage, while its transmitter was installed above the building. Network programs were initially delivered to Alaska on film, kinescope, or videotape and broadcast with delays because full satellite distribution was not yet available. KTVA carried CBS programming for decades, with shorter periods or limited carriage of programming from other networks. It also carried Sesame Street before Anchorage’s PBS member station KAKM began broadcasting in 1975. KTVA developed a substantial local-news operation, producing programs such as Daybreak and evening newscasts. Its journalism emphasized enterprise and investigative reporting for part of its history, although the operation later adopted a more conventional local-news format. The station was recognized for its reporting and production work, including a James Beard Award for the Harvesting Alaska series in 2017, as well as honors from the television, press, and broadcasting industries. Ownership changed several times. MediaNews Group acquired KTVA in 2000, and GCI, through Denali Media Holdings, completed its purchase in 2013. Under GCI, the station moved to a high-definition-capable facility in the Anchorage Daily News building and became the first Alaska station to broadcast local news in high definition. A major earthquake in November 2018 severely damaged the facility and temporarily interrupted transmission. KTVA’s commercial-network era ended in 2020. Gray Television acquired the station’s non-license assets, including its news operation and CBS affiliation, and transferred CBS programming to KYES-TV, later known as KAUU. KTVA’s news broadcasts ended in August 2020, and the station went off the air on September 3 while its license remained unresolved. It returned in September 2021 as an affiliate of Rewind TV. In February 2025, Alaska Public Media completed its acquisition of KTVA from GCI. The station now operates as a straight repeater of KAKM, retransmitting KAKM’s PBS service rather than producing an independent commercial schedule. Its Anchorage transmission facility remains strategically useful because of its central location and potentially improved coverage compared with more distant or terrain-obstructed broadcast sites.
History
KTVA was founded by August G. “Augie” Hiebert, an important early figure in Alaskan broadcasting. Through his company, Northern Television, Hiebert applied for the station’s license in May 1953 and received federal approval for construction permits in July. KTVA began broadcasting on December 11, 1953, initially operating only during evening hours. Its original facilities were located in Anchorage’s McKinley Tower, with the transmitter positioned at the top of the 14-story building. The station’s early years were shaped by the technical limitations of Alaska’s distance from the continental United States. Network programs were commonly delivered by aircraft on kinescope recordings and later videotape, producing delays compared with broadcasts in the lower 48 states. KTVA was associated primarily with CBS, although it carried selected programming from other networks at different points. It also carried Sesame Street between 1970 and 1975, before KAKM began its own service. In January 1971, KTVA carried the NFC Championship Game in what was identified as Anchorage’s first live satellite broadcast from the lower 48 states. KTVA remained a prominent commercial station as Anchorage’s television market developed. Hiebert retired in 1997, and MediaNews Group acquired the station in 2000. In 2009, KTVA was reported to have generated $6.8 million in revenue, placing it behind Anchorage competitor KTUU-TV in that market. Because the available reference gives no broader financial series or independently verifiable current financial data, the figure is not used as a current valuation or performance measure here. GCI announced its planned purchase of KTVA and other Alaska stations in 2012 through Denali Media Holdings. The Federal Communications Commission approved the transaction in October 2013, and the sale closed on November 1. In December, KTVA moved its studios to the Anchorage Daily News headquarters, introduced a redesigned visual identity, and began producing local news in high definition. The station’s news department pursued local enterprise reporting and investigative work, while also producing regular morning, evening, and weekend broadcasts. It received multiple industry honors, including a 2017 James Beard Award for Harvesting Alaska. A powerful earthquake struck Anchorage on November 30, 2018, severely damaging KTVA’s studios and disrupting its transmission. The station described extensive damage to the building, equipment, and interior infrastructure. Although KTVA continued operating for a time, its commercial television position became increasingly uncertain as GCI reviewed its broadcast holdings. In 2020, GCI announced plans to sell its broadcast assets. Gray Television acquired KTVA’s non-license assets, including the CBS affiliation and news operation, because Gray already owned other Anchorage full-power stations and could not directly acquire and operate KTVA’s license under the applicable ownership limits. CBS programming moved to KYES-TV on July 31, and the KTVA news operation produced its final newscast on August 30. KTVA then went off the air on September 3 while its license and facilities awaited a longer-term plan. KYES was later renamed KAUU, while programming associated with the former KYES schedule was carried on KTVA for a period. KTVA returned on September 2, 2021, as a Rewind TV affiliate. In October 2024, GCI filed to sell the station to Alaska Public Media, the operator of KAKM. The transaction closed on February 18, 2025. Alaska Public Media now uses KTVA as a direct repeater of KAKM’s PBS programming. The acquisition preserves a centrally located Anchorage transmission facility and may improve over-the-air coverage for households that receive a weaker signal from more distant or terrain-obstructed sites.
- 2025
Alaska Public Media takes ownership
[1]The sale to Alaska Public Media closes, and KTVA becomes a KAKM repeater.
- 2021
Broadcasting resumes
[1]KTVA returns to the air as a Rewind TV affiliate.
- 2020
CBS affiliation transfers to KYES-TV
[1]Gray Television moves CBS programming and KTVA’s news assets to KYES-TV.
- 2018
Anchorage earthquake damages studios
[1]A major earthquake causes severe damage to KTVA’s facilities and temporarily interrupts broadcasting.
- 2017
Harvesting Alaska wins James Beard Award
[1]The station’s Harvesting Alaska series receives a James Beard Award.
- 2013
GCI acquisition closes
[1]Denali Media Holdings, a GCI subsidiary, completes its purchase of KTVA.
- 2013
High-definition local news begins
[1]KTVA opens a new studio and becomes the first Alaska station identified in the reference material as broadcasting local news in high definition.
- 2000
MediaNews Group acquisition
[1]MediaNews Group acquires KTVA after Hiebert’s retirement.
- 1971
First live satellite broadcast
[1]The station carries the NFC Championship Game in Anchorage’s first reported live satellite broadcast from the lower 48 states.
- 1953
KTVA signs on
[1]KTVA begins broadcasting in Anchorage on December 11 after being established by Northern Television and Augie Hiebert.
Products and positioning
Anchorage television broadcaster and current PBS repeater operated by Alaska Public Media.
Broadcast station · 1953
KTVA over-the-air television service
The station’s primary broadcast service on virtual channel 11 serves Anchorage and surrounding Southcentral Alaska communities. Since the 2025 ownership change, the signal retransmits KAKM’s PBS programming rather than operating as an independent commercial schedule.
Local television news
KTVA local news
KTVA formerly produced a schedule of morning, evening, and weekend newscasts, including Daybreak and 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 10 p.m. broadcasts. The news operation emphasized local reporting and later adopted a more conventional format. It ended in August 2020 after the CBS affiliation and non-license assets moved to Gray Television.
Network affiliation · 1953
CBS network service
CBS was KTVA’s principal network affiliation from its 1953 sign-on until July 31, 2020. The affiliation then moved to KYES-TV, later renamed KAUU, as part of Gray Television’s acquisition of KTVA’s non-license assets.
Controversies
2021
FCC holds Gray Television liable for ownership-rule violation
The Federal Communications Commission issued a notice of apparent liability finding that Gray Television violated the rule barring an owner from holding two of the top four television stations in a designated market area. The FCC held Gray liable for $518,283, the statutory maximum for a single violation.
2014
Charlo Greene on-air resignation and cannabis disclosure
During a report about Alaska’s marijuana-legalization ballot measure, reporter Charlene Egbe disclosed that she was president of the Alaska Cannabis Club, an advocacy organization supporting legalization. She ended the segment with profanity, announced her resignation on air, and left the set. KTVA news director Bert Rudman later issued an apology. Because the incident occurred after 10 p.m., the reference states that no FCC fine or enforcement action followed.
Marketing campaigns
- 2017Harvesting Alaska
Alaska
KTVA’s food and agriculture-oriented reporting series examined harvesting and food production in Alaska and formed part of the station’s locally produced programming.
Outcome. The series won a James Beard Award.
- 2014Measure 2 marijuana-legalization coverage
Alaska
KTVA covered Alaska’s November ballot measure concerning recreational marijuana legalization. During an outro, reporter Charlene Egbe, using the on-air name Charlo Greene, disclosed that she led the Alaska Cannabis Club, an organization supporting legalization.
Outcome. The measure passed in the November 2014 election. The broadcast incident became widely reported and prompted a formal station apology.
Brand decisions
2025
Sale to Alaska Public MediaM&ABackground
GCI pursued a sale of KTVA while Alaska Public Media sought to expand the reach of KAKM’s PBS service in Anchorage.
Action taken
Alaska Public Media completed the acquisition and converted KTVA into a direct repeater of KAKM.
Aftermath
The transaction preserved KTVA’s broadcast facility and extended KAKM’s service through a centrally located Anchorage transmitter.
2021
Return to air with Rewind TVStrategyBackground
KTVA needed to resume broadcasting to preserve its license after going dark in 2020.
Action taken
The station resumed transmission as a Rewind TV affiliate on September 2, 2021.
Aftermath
KTVA continued operating without its former CBS affiliation or local-news department.
2020
Transfer of CBS service and news operationStrategyBackground
GCI planned to sell its broadcast holdings, while Gray Television already owned other full-power stations in the Anchorage market and could not directly acquire KTVA’s license.
Action taken
Gray acquired KTVA’s non-license assets, including the CBS affiliation and news department, and moved the service to KYES-TV.
Aftermath
KTVA’s independent newscasts ended, the station went dark in September 2020, and its later schedule became separate from the former CBS operation.
2013
Move to an HD-capable news studioStrategyBackground
KTVA sought to modernize its production facilities and strengthen its local-news operation.
Action taken
The station moved its studios to the Anchorage Daily News headquarters and launched a new set, logo, and high-definition local-news workflow.
Aftermath
KTVA became the first Alaska station identified in the reference material as broadcasting local news in high definition.
Recent events
FCC holds Gray Television liable for ownership-rule violation[2]
Reported:
The Federal Communications Commission issued a notice of apparent liability finding that Gray Television violated the rule barring an owner from holding two of the top four television stations in a designated market area. The FCC held Gray liable for $518,283, the statutory maximum for a single violation.
Sources2 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/ktva · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled