KXTU-LD
A low-power television station in Colorado Springs serving as the CW affiliate for Southern Colorado.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
KXTU-LD is a low-power television station serving Southern Colorado from Colorado Springs. The station operates as an affiliate of The CW and is identified locally by the SOCO CW branding. Its over-the-air signal is associated with channel 20, while the station is also distributed in high definition through the second digital subchannel of sister station KXRM-TV, a full-power Fox affiliate. This arrangement extends the practical reach of KXTU-LD beyond the limits of its low-power transmitter and makes the service available through cable and satellite systems across much of the southern Colorado market. The station began broadcasting on November 5, 1999, under the call sign KXTU-LP. It initially carried UPN programming and promoted itself as UPN57. Before the station's launch, viewers in the market could receive UPN programming through Denver station KTVD. KXTU's programming identity changed in September 2006, when UPN ceased operations and its programming assets were combined with those of The WB to create The CW. KXTU became the local CW outlet as part of that national network transition. KXTU's technical history includes a major conversion from analog to digital broadcasting. On August 30, 2010, it completed a flash-cut to digital transmission on channel 57. The station changed its call sign from KXTU-LP to KXTU-LD on October 27 of the same year. In early 2012, it moved its digital transmission from channel 57 to channel 20 and adopted the SOCO CW identity, linking the station more directly to its Southern Colorado audience. Although KXTU-LD is a low-power station, it has had broader distribution than many stations in the same technical class. Its carriage on DirecTV, Dish Network, and regional cable systems is connected to the retransmission-consent rights of KXRM-TV. Under the relevant must-carry and retransmission arrangements, KXRM could require distributors carrying its signal to carry KXTU as part of the overall carriage package. KXTU's high-definition simulcast on KXRM-TV's second digital subchannel provides another route for viewers to receive the service, although the station's direct terrestrial coverage remains concentrated in El Paso and Pueblo counties. KXTU does not normally produce a separate local newscast. During breaking news or significant weather events, it can simulcast coverage from KXRM-TV, allowing the CW outlet to provide urgent local information without maintaining an independent newsroom. Since 2023, the station has also served as the local television home for Colorado College Tigers men's ice hockey, adding a locally relevant sports property to its network programming schedule. The station has passed through several ownership groups. Barrington Broadcasting sold its television group, including KXTU-LD, to Sinclair Broadcast Group in a transaction completed in 2013. Sinclair later transferred KXTU-LD and KXRM-TV to Media General in a station exchange completed in December 2014. Following subsequent consolidation in the U.S. television industry, the stations became part of Nexstar Media Group. KXTU therefore functions as a local network-affiliate brand within a larger broadcast-station portfolio, combining national CW programming, syndicated or acquired content, local emergency simulcasts, and selected regional sports coverage.
History
KXTU-LD signed on in Colorado Springs on November 5, 1999, as KXTU-LP. Its original network affiliation was UPN, and the station used the UPN57 identity. Before KXTU began operating, UPN programming was available in the market through Denver's KTVD. The new low-power station gave Southern Colorado a locally based UPN outlet rather than relying solely on a distant-market signal. The station's first major programming transition followed the collapse of UPN and The WB. On September 17, 2006, UPN ceased broadcasting as a standalone network and its programming was combined with that of The WB in the newly formed CW network. KXTU became the CW affiliate for Colorado Springs and the surrounding Southern Colorado area. The station's local network role continued even though it did not operate a full independent newsroom or originate a conventional local newscast. KXTU's technical status changed in 2010. On August 30, it completed a flash-cut from analog transmission to digital broadcasting on channel 57. On October 27, the station changed its call sign from KXTU-LP to KXTU-LD, reflecting its digital low-power status. In early 2012, it moved to digital channel 20 and changed its public identity from CW 57 to SOCO CW. The new branding emphasized its service to Southern Colorado rather than tying the station's identity to its former channel number. The station's distribution model has been unusually broad for a low-power television outlet. In addition to its terrestrial signal, KXTU has been carried by DirecTV, Dish Network, and cable systems throughout Southern Colorado. This distribution is linked to KXRM-TV, the market's Fox affiliate and KXTU's sister station. KXRM's retransmission-consent rights allow it to require certain distributors to carry KXTU as part of the terms associated with carrying KXRM. KXTU is also simulcast in high definition on KXRM-TV's second digital subchannel. These arrangements increase the station's effective audience, although the direct coverage of KXTU's own digital signal remains concentrated mainly in El Paso and Pueblo counties. Its transmitter is located on Cheyenne Mountain, while the station shares studios on Wooten Road in Colorado Springs with KXRM-TV. Ownership of the station has changed as the U.S. local television sector consolidated. Barrington Broadcasting announced the sale of its entire station group, including KXTU-LD, to Sinclair Broadcast Group in February 2013; the transaction closed on November 25 of that year. In August 2014, Sinclair announced an exchange involving KXTU-LD, KXRM-TV, and other stations, under which the Colorado Springs stations would move to Media General. The exchange closed on December 19, 2014. The transaction included provisions maintaining KXTU's network affiliation and continued access to Sinclair's American Sports Network college-sports package at that time. KXTU does not generally air a separately produced local news program. Instead, it can carry KXRM's coverage during breaking-news situations and weather interruptions. This provides a local-information function while allowing the station to remain focused on its CW schedule and other acquired programming. Since 2023, KXTU has also been the local television home for Colorado College Tigers men's ice hockey, giving the station a recurring connection to a prominent Colorado Springs collegiate sports property. The station is now operated within Nexstar Media Group's broader television portfolio, alongside KXRM-TV. Its current identity is therefore based on a combination of CW network programming, the SOCO CW local brand, expanded distribution through its sister station, emergency news and weather simulcasts, and selected local sports coverage. KXTU-LD remains an active low-power station rather than a standalone national consumer brand.
- 2023
Colorado College hockey coverage begins
[1]KXTU becomes the local television outlet for Colorado College Tigers men's ice hockey.
- 2014
Station moves to Media General
[1]A station exchange transfers KXTU-LD and KXRM-TV from Sinclair to Media General.
- 2013
Sinclair acquisition closes
[1]KXTU-LD becomes part of Sinclair Broadcast Group after the sale of Barrington Broadcasting's station group.
- 2012
Channel and brand change
[1]KXTU moves to channel 20 and rebrands from CW 57 to SOCO CW.
- 2010
Digital flash-cut
[1]KXTU completes its transition from analog to digital transmission on channel 57.
- 2010
Call sign changes to KXTU-LD
[1]The station adopts the KXTU-LD call sign after its digital conversion.
- 2006
The station joins The CW
[1]KXTU switches from UPN to The CW after UPN and The WB are replaced by the merged network.
- 1999
KXTU-LP signs on as UPN57
[1]The station begins broadcasting in Colorado Springs on November 5 as a low-power UPN affiliate using the UPN57 identity.
Products and positioning
A Southern Colorado CW outlet combining national network entertainment with broad multichannel distribution, emergency local coverage through KXRM-TV, and selected regional sports programming.
CW network television service · 2006
SOCO CW
KXTU-LD's principal local television offering is its CW affiliation, marketed under the SOCO CW identity. It delivers national CW programming to viewers in Colorado Springs and Southern Colorado, supplemented by acquired programming and station-specific distribution arrangements.
High-definition television distribution
KXRM-TV second-subchannel simulcast
KXTU-LD is simulcast in high definition on the second digital subchannel of sister station KXRM-TV. The arrangement extends access to the CW service beyond the station's own low-power terrestrial footprint.
Regional sports television · 2023
Colorado College Tigers men's ice hockey
Since 2023, KXTU has carried Colorado College Tigers men's ice hockey as a locally focused sports offering. The broadcasts add a recurring Southern Colorado connection to the station's primarily network-oriented schedule.
Marketing campaigns
- 2012SOCO CW rebrand
Southern Colorado
KXTU replaced the CW 57 identity with SOCO CW after moving its digital transmission to channel 20. The rebrand emphasized regional service rather than the former channel number.
Outcome. The SOCO CW identity became the station's principal local brand.
Brand decisions
2023
Addition of Colorado College hockey coverageProduct launchBackground
KXTU sought to provide locally relevant programming alongside its national CW schedule.
Action taken
The station began serving as the local television home for Colorado College Tigers men's ice hockey.
Aftermath
KXTU expanded its local sports role in the Colorado Springs market.
2014
Transfer from Sinclair to Media GeneralM&ABackground
Sinclair arranged a multi-station exchange in connection with Media General's broader transaction activity.
Action taken
KXTU-LD and KXRM-TV were transferred to Media General in a swap completed on December 19, 2014.
Aftermath
The station retained its CW affiliation, and the transaction included provisions concerning continued access to Sinclair's American Sports Network programming.
2013
Barrington sale to SinclairM&ABackground
Barrington Broadcasting sold its entire television group as part of local-broadcast ownership consolidation.
Action taken
Sinclair Broadcast Group acquired the group, including KXTU-LD, with the transaction closing on November 25, 2013.
Aftermath
KXTU entered Sinclair's station portfolio and continued operating as a CW affiliate.
2012
Move to channel 20 and SOCO CW identityGeneration changeBackground
The station's prior CW 57 branding was tied to a channel number it no longer used.
Action taken
KXTU moved its digital transmission to channel 20 and adopted the SOCO CW brand.
Aftermath
The station's public identity became more geographically oriented and less dependent on its former channel assignment.
2010
Conversion to digital broadcastingOtherBackground
The station needed to transition from analog low-power transmission to digital broadcasting.
Action taken
KXTU completed a digital flash-cut and later changed its call sign from KXTU-LP to KXTU-LD.
Aftermath
The station continued operating as a digital low-power service and later moved to channel 20.
2006
Switch from UPN to The CWStrategyBackground
UPN and The WB were being replaced by The CW, requiring affiliated stations to select a new network relationship.
Action taken
KXTU adopted The CW affiliation after operating as a UPN outlet.
Aftermath
The station continued as the local CW service for Colorado Springs and Southern Colorado.
Recent events
- 2023
KXTU-LD begins carrying Colorado College men's ice hockey[1]
Product launch
KXTU began serving as the local television outlet for Colorado College Tigers men's ice hockey, expanding its locally relevant sports programming.
- 2014
KXTU-LD transfers from Sinclair to Media General[1]
M&A
Sinclair announced an exchange involving KXTU-LD and KXRM-TV, with the stations moving to Media General. The transaction closed on December 19, 2014, while preserving the station's CW affiliation and certain Sinclair sports-programming arrangements.
- 2013
Barrington Broadcasting sells KXTU-LD to Sinclair Broadcast Group[1]
M&A
Barrington Broadcasting announced the sale of its television group, including KXTU-LD, to Sinclair Broadcast Group. The transaction closed on November 25, 2013.
- 2012
KXTU moves to channel 20 and adopts SOCO CW branding[1]
Product generation · Campaign
KXTU shifted its digital transmission from channel 57 to channel 20 and changed its consumer-facing identity from CW 57 to SOCO CW.
- 2010
KXTU-LP completes digital conversion[1]
Other
The station completed a flash-cut from analog broadcasting to digital transmission on channel 57, marking a major technical transition for the low-power outlet.
- 2010
KXTU-LP changes call sign to KXTU-LD[1]
Other
The station adopted the KXTU-LD call sign after its transition to digital broadcasting.
- 2006
KXTU-LD becomes a CW affiliate after the end of UPN[1]
Other
Following UPN's shutdown and the creation of The CW from the former UPN and WB networks, KXTU changed from a UPN outlet to the CW station serving the Colorado Springs market.
Sources2 sources
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