KWBQ

KWBQ is a full-power television station licensed to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and serving the Albuquerque metropolitan television market. The station broadcasts on virtual channel 19 and is affiliated with The CW. Its over-the-air service is complemented by KRWB-TV, a Roswell-licensed satellite on channel 21 that rebroadcasts KWBQ across southeastern New Mexico. KRWB is essentially a simulcast operation: outside of federally required hourly identification announcements, it has limited separate on-air identity and does not maintain a substantial physical operation in Roswell. KWBQ began broadcasting on March 5, 1999, as an affiliate of The WB. Its initial branding was WB19, later changing to New Mexico's WB in 2002. The station restored WB programming to the Albuquerque area after KASY-TV ended its secondary WB affiliation in 1997. In February 2003, KWBQ expanded its reach through the launch of KRWB-TV, helping provide broader network coverage in southeastern New Mexico. The station became a founding affiliate of The CW when the network replaced The WB and UPN in 2006. ACME Communications signed KWBQ and KRWB to join The CW in March of that year, and both stations adopted the New Mexico's CW identity when the network launched on September 18, 2006. KWBQ operated alongside KASY-TV, which became a MyNetworkTV affiliate, creating a distinctive local pairing of stations connected to the two new national programming services. During the transition, KWBQ also used a television-themed mascot known as The CW Guy for promotional and community appearances. KWBQ has been associated with several ownership and operating arrangements. ACME Communications sold KWBQ, KRWB-TV, and KASY-TV to Tamer Media in 2012. The stations retained a shared services relationship that connected them operationally with KRQE and KASA-TV, first through LIN Media and later through Media General and Nexstar. Mission Broadcasting acquired KWBQ, its satellites, and KASY-TV from Tamer Media in 2020. Nexstar continues to operate the stations under a shared services structure, with KWBQ, KASY, and KRQE-related operations based at Broadcast Plaza in Albuquerque. KWBQ's main transmitter is located on Sandia Crest, while KRWB's transmitter is near Hagerman. In addition to its primary CW programming, KWBQ has carried several digital multicast services. Grit and Laff were added in January 2016, Ion Television followed in January 2017, and Nexstar's Rewind TV was added in September 2021. The station also carries selected programming associated with KRQE, including a simulcast of KRQE's morning newscast and the New Mexico Living lifestyle program from the KRQE Fox-affiliated digital service. KWBQ ended regular analog broadcasting during the United States digital television transition in June 2009, retaining its digital channel arrangement through virtual channel 19.

KWBQ commenced operations on March 5, 1999, as an affiliate of The WB. The station initially used the WB19 branding and later adopted New Mexico's WB in 2002. Its launch restored regular WB network availability to the Albuquerque area after KASY-TV discontinued its secondary affiliation with the network in 1997. In February 2003, KRWB-TV began operating on channel 21 from Roswell as a satellite of KWBQ. The new station extended the KWBQ signal into southeastern New Mexico and partly addressed the loss of broader regional access to WB programming after the former El Paso affiliate changed affiliations. KRWB's programming has remained a direct simulcast of KWBQ, apart from required station identification announcements and differences in digital subchannel carriage. The creation of The CW was announced in January 2006 through the planned combination of programming operations associated with The WB and UPN. ACME Communications signed KWBQ and KRWB to affiliate with The CW in March. The new network launched on September 18, 2006, and the stations adopted the New Mexico's CW brand. KASY-TV, which was operated alongside KWBQ, joined MyNetworkTV. This arrangement gave ACME a local duopoly connected to both of the principal replacement services created during the transition away from The WB and UPN. KWBQ also introduced The CW Guy, a television-shaped promotional mascot used at station events. KWBQ's operating structure changed as the station group moved through a series of ownership and service arrangements. In June 2010, ACME announced a shared services agreement with LIN Media. Under that arrangement, LIN's KRQE and KASA operations provided technical, engineering, accounting, and related services for KWBQ and KASY. The agreement was intended to consolidate operating functions and reduce costs while preserving separate station identities. ACME announced the proposed sale of KWBQ, KRWB-TV, and KASY-TV to Tamer Media in September 2012. The Federal Communications Commission approved the transaction in November, and the sale closed in December. It was Tamer Media's first television-station acquisition and marked ACME's exit from television-station ownership. The existing services relationship with LIN continued after the change in ownership. Media General announced in March 2014 that it would acquire LIN Media. The transaction closed in December of that year, bringing the shared services arrangement involving KRQE, KASA, KWBQ, KRWB, and KASY into the Media General organization. Nexstar Broadcasting Group subsequently announced its acquisition of Media General in January 2016; that transaction closed in January 2017. Nexstar became the principal operating company for the stations through the continuing shared services framework, while KWBQ itself remained owned by a separate station owner. KWBQ expanded its digital offering in January 2016 by adding Grit and Laff. Ion Television was added in January 2017, following local affiliation and ownership changes involving KASA-TV and KRQE. In September 2021, KWBQ added Rewind TV, a classic television network owned by Nexstar. The station also carries selected programming supplied through its relationship with KRQE, including a morning-news simulcast that began in April 2015 and the New Mexico Living lifestyle program. The station completed its transition from analog to digital broadcasting in June 2009. Its analog service on channel 19 ended on the federally established transition date, although a temporary public-service announcement loop remained under the federal SAFER Act. KWBQ's digital signal continued using pre-transition UHF channel 29 while retaining virtual channel 19. KRWB shut down its analog channel 21 and moved its digital service to that channel through a flash cut. KWBQ currently operates as a CW affiliate owned by Mission Broadcasting and operated alongside related Albuquerque stations through Nexstar's shared services structure.

• 2021

  Rewind TV is added

  [1]KWBQen.wikipedia.org

  KWBQ adds Rewind TV as a digital multicast channel.

• 2020

  Mission Broadcasting completes acquisition

  [1]KWBQen.wikipedia.org

  Mission Broadcasting completes its purchase of KWBQ, its satellites, and KASY-TV from Tamer Media.

• 2017

  Nexstar becomes the operating group

  [1]KWBQen.wikipedia.org

  Nexstar completes its acquisition of Media General and assumes the related operating relationship.

• 2014

  Media General announces LIN Media acquisition

  [1]KWBQen.wikipedia.org

  Media General announces a transaction that brings the LIN-operated shared services arrangement into its station group.

• 2012

  Tamer Media agrees to acquire the stations

  [1]KWBQen.wikipedia.org

  ACME announces the sale of KWBQ, KRWB-TV, and KASY-TV to Tamer Media.

• 2009

  Analog television service ends

  [1]KWBQen.wikipedia.org

  KWBQ ends regular analog broadcasting during the United States digital television transition.

• 2006

  KWBQ becomes a CW affiliate

  [1]KWBQen.wikipedia.org

  KWBQ and KRWB join The CW at the network's September launch and adopt the New Mexico's CW identity.

• 2003

  KRWB-TV launches as a satellite

  [1]KWBQen.wikipedia.org

  KRWB-TV begins operation from Roswell on channel 21 as a satellite of KWBQ.

• 2002

  Station adopts New Mexico's WB branding

  [1]KWBQen.wikipedia.org

  KWBQ changes its on-air identity from WB19 to New Mexico's WB.

• 1999

  KWBQ begins broadcasting

  [1]KWBQen.wikipedia.org

  KWBQ signs on March 5 as an affiliate of The WB, initially branded WB19.

A local broadcast outlet for The CW in the Albuquerque–Santa Fe market, combining national entertainment programming with regional distribution, multicast services, and selected shared news programming.

• Broadcast television channel · 1999

  KWBQ main channel

  KWBQ's primary over-the-air service operates on virtual channel 19 and carries programming from The CW, along with selected local, syndicated, promotional, and shared news content. The station is licensed to Santa Fe but serves the wider Albuquerque television market from facilities in Albuquerque and a transmitter on Sandia Crest.

• Satellite television station · 2003

  KRWB-TV

  KRWB-TV is KWBQ's Roswell-licensed satellite on channel 21. It extends KWBQ's programming into southeastern New Mexico and generally simulcasts the parent station. Its local presence is limited, and it does not carry all of KWBQ's digital subchannels.

• Digital television services · 2016

  KWBQ digital multicast services

  KWBQ's multicast lineup has included Grit, Laff, Ion Television, and Rewind TV. These services supplement the main CW affiliation with action, western, comedy, general entertainment, and library-programming formats aimed at free over-the-air viewers.

• 2006New Mexico's CW launch branding

  Albuquerque · Santa Fe · southeastern New Mexico

  KWBQ and KRWB introduced the New Mexico's CW identity to accompany their transition from The WB programming to The CW. The station also used The CW Guy mascot at local promotional events.

  Outcome. The branding established KWBQ as the regional CW outlet and replaced its New Mexico's WB identity.

  Source

• 2020

  Mission Broadcasting acquisitionM&A

  Background

  Tamer Media agreed to sell its New Mexico television assets.

  Action taken

  Mission Broadcasting acquired KWBQ, its satellite stations, and KASY-TV.

  Aftermath

  The transaction closed on November 16, 2020, with Nexstar continuing to operate the stations under a shared services structure.

  Source

• 2012

  Sale to Tamer MediaM&A

  Background

  ACME Communications decided to leave the television-station ownership business.

  Action taken

  ACME agreed to sell KWBQ, KRWB-TV, and KASY-TV to Tamer Media for $17.3 million; the FCC approved the transaction and it closed in December.

  Aftermath

  Tamer Media obtained its first television properties, while the existing shared services arrangement continued.

  Reported transaction value. $17.3 million sale (Announced September 2012; completed December 11, 2012)

  Source

• 2010

  Enter a shared services agreement with LIN MediaStrategy

  Background

  ACME sought operating efficiencies for its New Mexico stations.

  Action taken

  KWBQ and related stations entered a shared services arrangement under which LIN's KRQE and KASA operations provided technical, engineering, accounting, and related support.

  Aftermath

  The stations continued operating under shared infrastructure through later ownership changes involving Media General and Nexstar.

  Source

• 2006

  Join The CWStrategy

  Background

  The WB and UPN were being replaced by a jointly operated network, The CW.

  Action taken

  ACME Communications signed KWBQ and KRWB-TV to affiliate with The CW beginning at the network's launch.

  Aftermath

  Both stations rebranded as New Mexico's CW in September 2006, while sister station KASY-TV joined MyNetworkTV.

  Source

• 2021

  KWBQ adds Rewind TV[1]KWBQen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  KWBQ added Nexstar-owned Rewind TV as a fifth digital subchannel.

• 2020

  Mission Broadcasting acquires KWBQ, KRWB-TV, and KASY-TV[1]KWBQen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Mission Broadcasting announced the acquisition of KWBQ, its satellite stations, and KASY-TV from Tamer Media. The transaction was completed in November 2020.

• 2017

  KWBQ adds Ion Television to its digital lineup[1]KWBQen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  KWBQ added Ion Television as a digital multicast service following changes involving the local television group and the reassignment of Fox programming.

• 2016

  KWBQ adds Grit and Laff multicast services[1]KWBQen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  The station added Grit and Laff to its digital subchannel lineup, broadening its over-the-air entertainment offering.

• 2015

  KWBQ begins broadcasting KRQE morning news[1]KWBQen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  KWBQ began carrying a simulcast of KRQE's morning newscast, including the Fox New Mexico portion of the program, expanding its local-news offering through the stations' shared operating relationship.

• 2006

  KWBQ and KRWB announced as affiliates of the new CW network[1]KWBQen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  ACME Communications reached an affiliation agreement making KWBQ and its KRWB satellite affiliates of The CW when the network launched in September 2006.

1. 1KWBQen.wikipedia.org
2. 2KWBQ official websitekwbq.com