View source for KASA-TV

{{Short description|Television station in Santa Fe, New Mexico}}
{{good article}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox television station
| callsign               = KASA-TV
| city                   = Santa Fe, New Mexico
| logo                   = KASA-TV Telemundo Nuevo Mexico logo.png
| logo_size              = 200px
| logo_alt               = The Telemundo network logo, consisting of two red pieces that form the letter T, and under them, the words "Telemundo" and "Nuevo México" on separate lines.
| branding               = {{lang|es|Telemundo Nuevo México|italic=no}}; {{lang|es|Noticias Telemundo Nuevo México}} 
| digital                = 27 ([[UHF]])
| virtual                = 2
| translators            = ''see {{section link||Rebroadcasters}}''
| affiliations           = {{ubl|'''2.1:''' [[Telemundo]]|'''2.2:''' [[TeleXitos]]|'''33.1:''' [[Roar (TV network)|Roar]]|'''47.1:''' [[Cozi TV]]| }} <!--Subchannels must remain listed; "for others, see {{section link||Subchannels}}" cannot and *will not* be used per https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=KASA-TV&oldid=1166183799 -->
| subchannels            =
| network                = 
| country                = United States
| airdate                = {{start date and age|1983|10|31|p=y}}
| location               = [[Santa Fe, New Mexico|Santa Fe]]–[[Albuquerque, New Mexico]]
| callsign_meaning       = Based on [[Spanish language|Spanish]] word {{lang|es|casa}}, meaning "home" or "house"
| former_callsigns       = {{ubl|KSAF-TV (1983–1985)|KNMZ-TV (1985–1989)|KKTO-TV (1989–1993)}}
| former_channel_numbers = '''Analog:''' 2 ([[VHF]], 1983–2009)
| owner                  = [[Telemundo Station Group]]
| licensee               = NBC Telemundo License [[LLC]]
| sister_stations        = KTEL-CD, [[KRTN-LD]], [[KUPT-LD]]
| former_affiliations    = {{ubl|[[Independent station|Independent]] (1983–1992)|[[Dark (broadcasting)|Dark]] (1992–1993)|[[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] (1993–2017)}}
| erp                    = 380 [[kW]]
| haat                   = {{convert|1278|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| facility_id            = 32311
| coordinates            = {{coord|35|12|49.8|N|106|27|3.3|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}
| licensing_authority    = [[FCC]]
| website                = {{url|www.telemundonuevomexico.com}} 
}}

'''KASA-TV''' (channel 2) is a [[television station]] licensed to [[Santa Fe, New Mexico]], United States, serving the [[Albuquerque]] area and most of the state as an [[owned-and-operated station]] of the Spanish-language network [[Telemundo]]. KASA-TV's studios are located on Monroe Street NE in Albuquerque; its transmitter is located on [[Sandia Crest]], with translators in much of the state and southwestern [[Colorado]] extending its signal and on subchannels of two high-power stations, KTEL-TV in [[Carlsbad, New Mexico|Carlsbad]] and KUPT in [[Hobbs, New Mexico|Hobbs]].

Channel 2 in Santa Fe was established in 1983 and struggled for its first decade on air as an independent station. It went silent in 1992 during a merger with [[KGSW-TV]], which resulted in 1993 in its relaunch as [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] affiliate KASA-TV. KASA remained the Albuquerque market's Fox affiliate until a merger led to Fox's move to a subchannel of [[KRQE]]; at that time, channel 2 and its translators were sold to [[Lubbock, Texas]]-based Ramar Communications and switched to Telemundo, which had previously aired on that company's KTEL-CD. Telemundo's parent company, [[NBCUniversal]], purchased all of Ramar's stations in New Mexico in 2021.

==History==

===Early years===
The New Mexico Media Co., a group of [[Santa Fe, New Mexico|Santa Fe]] businessmen backed by California industrialist John J. Pollon,<ref name="Sant781203">{{Cite news |last=Carlson |first=Al |date=December 3, 1978 |title=Television stations: Santa Fe sponsors plan to continue proposed projects |page=D3 |newspaper=The Santa Fe New Mexican |location= |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122652479/television-stations-santa-fe-sponsors-p/ |access-date=April 11, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> applied on September 10, 1977, for a new television station to serve Santa Fe on [[very high frequency]] (VHF) channel 11 (amended two months later to specify channel 2).<ref name="hc">{{Cite web|url= https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=85389 |title= History Cards for KASA-TV|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]}} ([[Wikipedia:WikiProject Radio Stations/History Cards|Guide to reading History Cards]])<!--Converted from {{FCC letter}}--></ref> Both the New Mexico Media application and the other channel 11 bid, which became [[KCHF]], were contested by the [[Albuquerque]] television stations for specifying the use of [[Sandia Crest]] as the transmitter site, which they contended would have meant an insufficient signal over the city of license.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82497760/two-tv-stations-may-be-closer-than-ever/|work=The Santa Fe New Mexican|first=Steven|last=Stingley|title=Two TV stations may be closer than ever to air|date=October 5, 1980|page=B-3|accessdate=July 30, 2021|archive-date=July 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731033955/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82497760/two-tv-stations-may-be-closer-than-ever/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) approved the application on May 10, 1982.{{r|hc}} By that time, the application had been amended to change the transmitter site to No Name Peak in the [[Jemez Mountains]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82498008/santa-fe-to-get-tv-station/|accessdate=July 30, 2021|date=May 6, 1982|title=Santa Fe To Get TV Station|work=Albuquerque Journal|first=Howard|last=Houghton|page=A-19|archive-date=July 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731034017/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82498008/santa-fe-to-get-tv-station/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82498107/local-tv-station-ready-to-roll/|accessdate=July 30, 2021|date=October 12, 1982|first=Robert|last=Storey|work=The Santa Fe New Mexican|page=A-3|title=Local TV Station Ready to Roll|archive-date=July 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731034000/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82498107/local-tv-station-ready-to-roll/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Channel 2 came to the air on October 31, 1983<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82498742/technical-woes-delay-ksaf-tvs-debut/|title=Technical Woes Delay KSAF-TV's Debut|page=B-7|work=Albuquerque Journal|date=October 31, 1983|accessdate=July 30, 2021|archive-date=July 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731034022/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82498742/technical-woes-delay-ksaf-tvs-debut/|url-status=live}}</ref>—a day later than announced,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82498687/new-tv-station-in-santa-fe-to-air-2001/|title=New TV Station In Santa Fe To Air '2001'|accessdate=July 30, 2021|page=F-33|work=Albuquerque Journal|date=October 28, 1983|archive-date=July 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731034017/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82498687/new-tv-station-in-santa-fe-to-air-2001/|url-status=live}}</ref> prompting the station to apologize on local radio stations and claim it was "a day late but ... not a single program short"<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82498828/santa-fe-television-station-on-air-27/|title=Santa Fe Television Station On Air, 27 Hours Late|first1=Leah Beth|last1=Ward|first2=Howard|last2=Houghton|work=Albuquerque Journal|page=B-6|date=November 2, 1983|accessdate=July 30, 2021|archive-date=July 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731033956/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82498828/santa-fe-television-station-on-air/|url-status=live}}</ref>—as [[independent station]] KSAF-TV. Based in a new studio building at the corner of St. Francis and St. Michael's Drive in Santa Fe, channel 2 promised a strong signal for Santa Fe and Albuquerque, as well as the first live newscast for New Mexico's capital city;<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82498251/an-important-announcement-from-ksaf-tv-c/|title=An Important Announcement from KSAF-TV Channel 2|date=October 26, 1983|accessdate=July 30, 2021|work=The Santa Fe New Mexican|page=D-8|archive-date=July 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731034020/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82498251/an-important-announcement-from-ksaf-tv/|url-status=live}}</ref> the 9 p.m. newscast was scrapped just three months after launch, with the general manager calling it a "drain" on the station's resources as a startup operation.<ref name="Albu840130">{{Cite news |date=January 30, 1984 |title=KSAF fires news staff, drops local news show |page=B-6 |newspaper=The Albuquerque Tribune |location= |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122652354/ksaf-fires-news-staff-drops-local-news/ |access-date=April 11, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82499419/tv-station-seeks-dismissal-of-breach-of/|accessdate=July 30, 2021|date=September 19, 1985|page=D2|title=TV Station Seeks Dismissal Of Breach-of-Contract Suit|work=Albuquerque Journal|archive-date=July 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731033957/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82499419/tv-station-seeks-dismissal-of/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In October 1984, a California-based investor group bought into KSAF-TV.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82499013/investors-buy-into-ksaf-tv/|accessdate=July 30, 2021|date=October 20, 1984|title=Investors buy into KSAF-TV|page=A-5|work=The Santa Fe New Mexican|archive-date=July 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731034035/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82499013/investors-buy-into-ksaf-tv/|url-status=live}}</ref> The new ownership upgraded the programming by acquiring 600 films from a financially troubled [[KNAT-TV]]; in order to avoid confusion with radio station [[KSWV|KAFE]] and "KSFE-TV", a former cable channel in Santa Fe, the call letters were changed to KNMZ-TV (stylized as "KNM2") on March 1, 1985.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82499274/ksaf-tries-ratings-sweep-with-its-prime/|title=KSAF tries ratings sweep with its prime-time flicks; Station changes name|accessdate=July 30, 2021|work=The Santa Fe New Mexican|first=Sam|last=Atwood|page=B-1|archive-date=July 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731033958/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82499274/ksaf-tries-ratings-sweep-with-its/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82499588/santa-fes-channel-2-changes-letters/|accessdate=July 30, 2021|work=Albuquerque Journal|date=February 28, 1985|title=Santa Fe's Channel 2 Changes Letters|page=A14|first=Rick|last=Nathanson|archive-date=July 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731033958/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82499588/santa-fes-channel-2-changes-letters/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The station filed for bankruptcy in August 1987, citing $11 million in assets but $15 million in liabilities.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82499975/knmz-seeks-chapter-11-permission-to-inc/|accessdate=July 30, 2021|title=KNMZ Seeks Chapter 11, Permission To Incur Loan|page=A11|work=Albuquerque Journal|archive-date=July 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731034023/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82499975/knmz-seeks-chapter-11-permission-to/|url-status=live}}</ref> Coronado Communications Company, a subsidiary of the [[Las Vegas]]–based [[Sunbelt Communications Company]], purchased channel 2 for $3 million in early 1988.<ref>{{cite news|id={{ProQuest|1014723533}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1988/BC-1988-01-18.pdf|accessdate=July 30, 2021|work=Broadcasting|date=January 18, 1988|title=Changing Hands|page=96|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308043536/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1988/BC-1988-01-18.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Founding investor Pollon bought back the studio building, and KNMZ-TV moved its Santa Fe offices to smaller quarters on Calle Nava while shifting the bulk of operations to Albuquerque.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82500260/channel-2-founder-buys-back-building/|accessdate=July 30, 2021|date=October 15, 1988|title=Channel 2 founder buys back building|work=The Santa Fe New Mexican|first=Bob|last=Quick|page=A-9|archive-date=July 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731034025/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82500260/channel-2-founder-buys-back-building/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{r|changes}} Coronado also laid off 17 staffers to cut back to the "bare bones" necessary for operation.<ref name="Albu890211">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98028754/channel-2-cuts-staff-by-17-to-stay-on-ai/|date=February 11, 1989|page=C5|first=Steve|last=Brewer|title=Channel 2 Cuts Staff By 17 To Stay on Air|newspaper=Albuquerque Journal|location=Albuquerque, New Mexico|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320212558/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98028754/channel-2-cuts-staff-by-17-to-stay-on/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat -->

Coronado made its own repositioning of channel 2 in 1989, changing the call letters to KKTO-TV.<ref name="changes">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82500473/tv-channel-2-changes-name-schedule/|title=TV Channel 2 changes name, schedule|work=The Santa Fe New Mexican|first=Bob|last=Quick|page=B-4|date=September 8, 1989|accessdate=July 30, 2021|archive-date=July 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731034026/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82500473/tv-channel-2-changes-name-schedule/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Merger with KGSW-TV and Fox era===
[[File:Radio towers on Sandia Peak - closeup.jpg|right|thumb|alt=A mountaintop with many broadcast towers|Channel 2 moved to Sandia Crest in the merger of KGSW-TV's stronger programming and ownership with KKTO-TV's channel 2 allocation in 1993.]]
{{see|KGSW-TV}}
By mid-1992, KKTO-TV was economically struggling: Coronado had lost $6.6 million in its ownership of the station, and it warned that it could not continue to operate KKTO-TV much longer.<ref name="moo">{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4lPg97IyfPsC&q=%22KKTO%22+%22James+Rogers%22&pg=PA159|title=Memorandum Opinion & Order (8 FCC Rcd 1)|date=December 22, 1992|page=159|first=Barbara A.|last=Kreisman|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|accessdate=July 31, 2021|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320212608/https://books.google.com/books?id=4lPg97IyfPsC&q=%22KKTO%22+%22James+Rogers%22&pg=PA159|url-status=live}}</ref> That July, the [[Providence Journal Company]] (ProJo)—owners of [[KGSW-TV]] (channel 14), New Mexico's Fox affiliate—reached a deal to purchase KKTO from Coronado. The deal was made with the express purpose of moving the Fox affiliation and channel 14 programming to the VHF station, which in turn would move its transmitter to Sandia Crest in a $1 million upgrade.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72179530/|title=Albuquerque's Fox 14 Could Become Fox 2|first=Rick|last=Nathanson|work=Albuquerque Journal|page=C4|date=July 24, 1992|accessdate=July 30, 2021|archive-date=July 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731034000/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72179530/albuquerques-fox-14-could-become-fox-2/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="quick2">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72179420/|accessdate=July 30, 2021|date=August 5, 1992|title=Fox could change its channel|first=Bob|last=Quick|work=The Santa Fe New Mexican|page=B-5|archive-date=July 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731034010/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72179420/fox-looks-to-change-its-channel/|url-status=live}}</ref> ProJo immediately took control of KKTO under a [[local marketing agreement]], firing its 18 staff and rehiring 10.{{r|quick2}}

Programming from KKTO ceased at midnight on September 6, 1992.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82509996/channel-change-notices/|accessdate=July 30, 2021|date=September 4, 1992|title=Channel Change Notices|page=E2|work=Albuquerque Journal|archive-date=July 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731034025/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82509996/channel-change-notices/|url-status=live}}</ref> That same week, the [[Associated Press]] news agency had sued the station for $78,700 in unpaid wire service bills.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72179542/the-associated-press-sues-kkto/|accessdate=July 30, 2021|work=Rio Grande Sun|title=The Associated Press, a news service...|date=September 4, 1992|page=31|archive-date=July 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731034027/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72179542/the-associated-press-sues-kkto/|url-status=live}}</ref> The FCC approved the ProJo purchase of KKTO in January 1993, along with new KASA-TV call letters for channel 2.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45358176/|accessdate=July 30, 2021|title=FCC Approves Fox Changes|first=Rick|last=Nathanson|work=Albuquerque Journal|date=January 6, 1993|archive-date=July 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731034030/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45358176/colorado-site-of-first-gay-lesbian/|url-status=live}}</ref> On April 5, 1993, at 6 p.m., KGSW-TV signed off channel 14, and KASA-TV began telecasting on channel 2.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72179626/|accessdate=July 30, 2021|date=April 6, 1993|title=KOAT-TV 6 O'Clock News Bounces Back in Ratings|first=Rick|last=Nathanson|work=Albuquerque Journal|page=B4|archive-date=July 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731034002/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72179626/koat-tv-6-oclock-news-bounces-back-in/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1997, [[Belo Corporation|Belo]] acquired the Providence Journal Company. However, it found that there was no synergy between KASA-TV and its clusters of stations in Texas, the Pacific Northwest, and the mid-Atlantic states and put the station up for sale, along with [[KHNL]] in [[Honolulu]], [[Hawaii]], in May 1999.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82513872/kasa-tv-channel-2-put-on-media-market/|accessdate=July 30, 2021|date=May 21, 1999|title=KASA-TV Channel 2 Put on Media Market|first=Richard|last=Metcalf|work=Albuquerque Journal|page=B4|archive-date=July 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731034011/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82513872/kasa-tv-channel-2-put-on-media-market/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Albuquerque and Honolulu operations were purchased by [[Raycom Media]] for $88 million.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82514033/belo-corp-to-buy-independent-tv-station/|title=Belo Corp. to buy independent TV station in Phoenix|accessdate=July 30, 2021|agency=Associated Press|date=July 4, 1999|work=Arizona Daily Star|page=2D|archive-date=July 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731034033/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82514033/belo-corp-to-buy-independent-tv/|url-status=live}}</ref> Under Raycom ownership, KASA began airing a 9 p.m. local newscast produced for it by [[KOB-TV]] in November 2000.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82514613/kasa-tv-happy-with-news-at-nine-ratings/|title=KASA-TV happy with News at Nine ratings after first week on air|accessdate=July 30, 2021|first=Barbara|last=Chavez|work=Albuquerque Journal|date=November 23, 2000|page=B3|archive-date=July 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731034002/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82514613/kasa-tv-happy-with-news-at-nine-ratings/|url-status=live}}</ref>

After purchasing the [[Liberty Corporation]] in August 2005, Raycom announced its intent to sell KASA and several other stations. On July 27, 2006, Raycom announced that [[LIN TV]], owner of CBS affiliate [[KRQE]], would purchase KASA for $55 million and take over operations at the end of August.<ref>{{cite news|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070518000251/http://www.tvweek.com/news.cms?newsId=10442|url=http://www.tvweek.com/news.cms?newsId=10442|work=TV Week|title=LIN Buying 2nd Albuquerque Station|first=Michele|last=Greppi|date=July 27, 2006|archive-date=May 18, 2007|accessdate=July 30, 2021}}</ref> The creation of a television duopoly involving two "[[Big Three (television networks)|Big Four]]" affiliates—typically the four highest-rated stations in a market, which cannot be commonly owned—was allowed since KASA was New Mexico's fifth-rated station at the time. The deal also saw KASA move out of its Albuquerque studio site—which had been used by KGSW-TV since its start—to KRQE's facility and switch from airing a 9 p.m. newscast produced by KOB to one from KRQE.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82514282/krqes-team-will-operate-kasa/|title=KRQE's Team Will Operate KASA|first=Rick|last=Nathanson|work=Albuquerque Journal|page=E1|date=July 29, 2006|accessdate=July 30, 2021|archive-date=July 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731034037/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82514282/krqes-team-will-operate-kasa/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===The Telemundo era===
While LIN was able to retain both KRQE and KASA in its merger with [[Media General]] in 2014, this would prove not to be the case in 2016 when [[Nexstar Broadcasting Group]] reached a deal to purchase Media General for $4.6 billion. KASA and KRQE were both ranked among the top four stations in the market during the November 2015 sweeps period, which meant that the company had to divest one of the two stations to comply with the FCC duopoly rules.<ref name="fcc-krqekasasplit">{{cite web|title=Comprehensive Exhibit|url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cdbs/CDBS_Attachment/getattachment.jsp?appn=101724299&qnum=5050&copynum=1&exhcnum=3|website=CDBS Public Access|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|access-date=July 11, 2016|date=March 2016|archive-date=September 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921033402/https://licensing.fcc.gov/cdbs/CDBS_Attachment/getattachment.jsp?appn=101724299&qnum=5050&copynum=1&exhcnum=3|url-status=live}}</ref> On June 30, 2016, it agreed to sell KASA-TV and associated translators to Ramar Communications, owner of [[Telemundo]] affiliate KTEL-CD (channel 15), [[Movies!]] affiliate [[KUPT-LD]] (channel 16), and [[MeTV]] affiliate [[KRTN-LD]] (channel 33), for $2.5 million.<ref name="fcc-saletoramar">{{cite web|title=Application For Consent To Assignment Of Broadcast Station Construction Permit Or License|url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1732463&Service=DT&Form_id=314&Facility_id=32311|website=CDBS Public Access|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|access-date=July 11, 2016|archive-date=September 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921033953/http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1732463&Service=DT&Form_id=314&Facility_id=32311|url-status=live}}</ref>

On January 18, 2017, Fox programming moved to a subchannel of KRQE, as Ramar did not acquire the Fox affiliation in the transaction. KASA switched to Telemundo; Ramar also converted its three existing full-power stations in the market—KRTN-TV (channel 33) in [[Durango, Colorado]], KTEL-TV (channel 25) in [[Carlsbad, New Mexico|Carlsbad]], and KUPT (channel 29) in [[Hobbs, New Mexico|Hobbs]]—into satellites of KASA.<ref name="fcc-saletoramar"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abqjournal.com/810810/switching-channels-purchases-will-move-telemundo-fox.html|title=Switching channels: Purchases will move Telemundo, Fox|work=Albuquerque Journal|language=en-US|access-date=October 16, 2019|date=July 19, 2016|archive-date=October 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191016222729/https://www.abqjournal.com/810810/switching-channels-purchases-will-move-telemundo-fox.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Ramar announced the sale of its entire Albuquerque-market television operation—KASA-TV, the other three full-power stations, and all of their dependent translators—to [[NBCUniversal]] on July 30, 2021. The $12.5 million deal gave NBCU Telemundo [[owned-and-operated station]]s in 31 markets and marked the end of 23 years of Ramar's ownership of the Telemundo affiliation in the city.<ref name="nbcbuy">{{Cite news |last=Miller |first=Mark |date=July 30, 2021 |title=NBCU Buying KASA Albuquerque For $12.5M |language=en |work=TVNewsCheck |url=https://tvnewscheck.com/top-news/business/article/nbcu-buying-kasa-albuquerque/ |access-date=July 30, 2021 |archive-date=July 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731034004/https://tvnewscheck.com/top-news/business/article/nbcu-buying-kasa-albuquerque/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="kasatonbcu">{{cite web|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/views/public/assignmentDraftCopy?displayType=html&appKey=25076f9179edc3d1017a346115526cc4&id=25076f9179edc3d1017a346115526cc4&goBack=N|title=Assignments|work=Licensing and Management System|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|date=July 29, 2021|accessdate=July 30, 2021|archive-date=July 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731034051/https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/views/public/assignmentDraftCopy?displayType=html&appKey=25076f9179edc3d1017a346115526cc4&id=25076f9179edc3d1017a346115526cc4&goBack=N|url-status=live}}</ref> The sale was completed on October 5.<ref name="kasasalecloses">{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcumv.com/mediavillage/interactive/2929fed4187b40648b79a9839e70e91fproduct169208/index.html#/brand/85026d8c-8d0c-4eb2-b8a8-be15e93a2f3f/press-releases/33d0d9fb-771d-400e-9050-1c1cf25a75d7|title=NBCUniversal Local Acquires Television Stations from Ramar Communications|work=NBCUniversal Media Village|publisher=[[NBCUniversal Media, LLC]]|date=October 5, 2021|accessdate=October 5, 2021|archive-date=October 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002154514/https://www.nbcumv.com/mediavillage/interactive/2929fed4187b40648b79a9839e70e91fproduct169208/index.html#/brand/85026d8c-8d0c-4eb2-b8a8-be15e93a2f3f/press-releases/33d0d9fb-771d-400e-9050-1c1cf25a75d7|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Newscasts==
{{see|KOB (TV)#News operation}}
Initially, local news on Telemundo Nuevo México originated from the studios of [[KJTV-TV]], formerly owned by Ramar, in [[Lubbock, Texas]], with reports from Albuquerque-based reporters. As part of the sale, NBC entered into a transitional services agreement with [[Gray Television]], which had purchased KJTV-TV and other Ramar television assets in Lubbock earlier in 2021, to continue news production in the short term;<ref name="graytsa">{{cite web|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/api/download/attachment/25076f917ada225d017ae445f05d083e|title=Services Agreement|date=July 23, 2021|accessdate=July 30, 2021|archive-date=July 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731034010/https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/api/download/attachment/25076f917ada225d017ae445f05d083e|url-status=live}}</ref> in announcing the purchase, NBC declared its intention to start its own local news service for KASA.{{r|nbcbuy}}

On October 18, 2021, Albuquerque's NBC affiliate, [[KOB]], assumed production of the local newscasts.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/kasa-albuquerque-premieres-local-news|title=KASA Albuquerque Premieres Local News|work=Broadcasting & Cable|first=Michael|last=Malone|date=October 18, 2021|access-date=October 18, 2021|archive-date=October 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018172709/https://www.nexttv.com/news/kasa-albuquerque-premieres-local-news|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Rebroadcasters==
===Satellite stations===
KASA-TV operates two [[broadcast relay station#Satellite stations|satellite stations]] to rebroadcast the station's programming to southeastern New Mexico.
{{clear}}
{| class="sortable wikitable"
|+ Full-power satellites of KASA-TV
! scope = "col" | Station
! scope = "col" | [[City of license]]
! scope = "col" | Channel
! scope = "col" | [[Facility ID]]
! scope = "col" | [[effective radiated power|ERP]]
! scope = "col" | [[HAAT]]
! scope = "col" class="unsortable" | Transmitter coordinates
! scope = "col" | First air date
! scope = "col" class="unsortable" | Public license information
|-
! scope = "row" | KTEL-TV
| [[Carlsbad, New Mexico|Carlsbad]]
| 25
| 83707
| 41&nbsp;[[kW]]
| {{convert|120|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| {{coord|32|26|9.6|N|104|11|16|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=KTEL-TV}}
| {{dts|1997|10|27}}
| {{ubl|{{FCC-TV-Station-profile|KTEL-TV|Public file}}|{{FCC-LMS-Facility|83707|3=LMS}}}}
|-
! scope = "row" | KUPT
| [[Hobbs, New Mexico|Hobbs]]
| 29
| 27431
| 50&nbsp;kW
| {{convert|157|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| {{coord|32|43|28|N|103|5|48|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=KUPT}}
| {{dts|1983|7|5}}
| {{ubl|{{FCC-TV-Station-profile|KUPT|Public file}}|{{FCC-LMS-Facility|27431|3=LMS}}}}
|}

===Translators===
KASA-TV has 23 low-power rebroadcasters in New Mexico and Colorado.<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 23, 2021|title=List of TV Translator Input Channels|url=https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/tv-translator-input-channels-07232021.xlsx|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209195336/https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/tv-translator-input-channels-07232021.xlsx|archive-date=December 9, 2021|access-date=December 17, 2021|publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}</ref> In early 1987, KGSW-TV began building translators in such cities as Alamosa, Durango, and Farmington.<ref name="Albu870130">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98028512/area-stations-used-restraint-in-handling/|date=January 30, 1987|page=F3, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98028410/ F33]|first=Rick|last=Nathanson|title=Area Stations Used Restraint in Handling Suicide|newspaper=Albuquerque Journal|location=Albuquerque, New Mexico|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320212613/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98028512/area-stations-used-restraint-in/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> Around the same time, the then-KNMZ-TV built its first rebroadcaster, to serve Farmington.<ref name="Albu870220">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98028607/some-stations-would-accept-condom-ads/|date=February 20, 1987|page=A11|first=Rick|last=Nathanson|title=Some Stations Would Accept Condom Ads|newspaper=Albuquerque Journal|location=Albuquerque, New Mexico|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320212613/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98028607/some-stations-would-accept-condom-ads/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->

{{div col|colwidth=40em}}
* [[Alamogordo]]: K27HP-D
* [[Albuquerque]]: KUPT-LD 16.4
* [[Artesia, New Mexico|Artesia]]: K16LR-D
* [[Aztec, New Mexico|Aztec]]: K27ND-D
* [[Caballo, New Mexico|Caballo]]: K31DR-D
* [[Carlsbad, New Mexico|Carlsbad]]: K17MN-D
* [[Deming, New Mexico|Deming]]: K15IG-D
* [[Eagle Nest, New Mexico|Eagle Nest]]: K31NZ-D
* [[Farmington, New Mexico|Farmington]]: K23KL-D
* [[Gallup, New Mexico|Gallup]]: K18HF-D
* [[Hobbs, New Mexico|Hobbs]]: K27GL-D
* [[Las Vegas, New Mexico|Las Vegas]]: K20GQ-D
* [[Roswell, New Mexico|Roswell]]: K15FT-D
* [[Ruidoso]]: K28PS-D
* [[Santa Fe, New Mexico|Santa Fe]]: K31NB-D
* [[Silver City, New Mexico|Silver City]]: K25DI-D
* [[Taos, New Mexico|Taos]]: K12OG-D
* [[Truth or Consequences, New Mexico|Truth or Consequences]]: K22JY-D
* [[Bayfield, CO]]: K19LD-D
* [[Cortez, CO]]: K07UY-D, K27IG-D
* [[Durango, CO]]: KXZQ-LD 35
* [[Pagosa Springs, CO]]: K19LC-D
{{div col end}}

==Technical information==
===Subchannels===
The stations' signals are [[Multiplex (TV)|multiplexed]]. The use of major channel numbers 15 and 33 for KASA-TV's other subchannels correlates to the other full-power former Ramar stations in New Mexico.
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Subchannels of KASA-TV<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KASA#station |title=RabbitEars TV Query for KASA|website=[[RabbitEars.info]] |access-date=May 20, 2014 |archive-date=May 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521032056/http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KASA#station |url-status=live }}</ref>
! scope = "col" | [[Digital subchannel#United States|Channel]] 
! scope = "col" | [[Display resolution|Res.]] 
! scope = "col" | [[Aspect ratio (image)|Aspect]] 
! scope = "col" | Short name 
! scope = "col" | Programming
|-
! scope = "row" | 2.1 
| [[1080i]] || rowspan=4| [[16:9]] || KASA-HD || [[Telemundo]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 15.1 
| rowspan=2| [[480i]] || TeleX || [[TeleXitos]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 33.1 
| TBD || [[TBD (TV network)|TBD]]
|- style="background-color: #E6FFF7;"
! scope = "row" | 47.1 
| [[720p]] || COZI HD || [[Cozi TV]] (KTEL-CD)
|-
! scope = "row" | 47.5
| 480i || [[4:3]] || Nosey || Nosey
|}
{{legend|#E6FFF7|Simulcast of subchannels of another station}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Subchannels of KTEL-TV<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KTEL-TV#station |title=RabbitEars TV Query for KTEL-TV|website=[[RabbitEars.info]] |access-date=May 22, 2024}}</ref>
! scope = "col" | [[Digital subchannel#United States|Channel]] 
! scope = "col" | [[Display resolution|Res.]] 
! scope = "col" | [[Aspect ratio (image)|Aspect]] 
! scope = "col" | Short name 
! scope = "col" | Programming
|-
! scope = "row" | 33.1 
|  [[720p]]|| rowspan=5| [[16:9]] || KTEL-TV || [[Cozi TV]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 25.2 
| rowspan="4"|[[480i]] || COZI || [[TeleXitos]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 25.3 
| ROAR || [[Roar (TV network)|Roar]]
|- 
! scope = "row" | 25.4 
| KASA || [[Telemundo]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 25.5
| Nosey || Nosey
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Subchannels of KUPT<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KUPT#station |title=RabbitEars TV Query for KUPT|website=[[RabbitEars.info]] |access-date=May 22, 2024}}</ref>
! scope = "col" | [[Digital subchannel#United States|Channel]] 
! scope = "col" | [[Display resolution|Res.]] 
! scope = "col" | [[Aspect ratio (image)|Aspect]] 
! scope = "col" | Short name 
! scope = "col" | Programming
|-
! scope = "row" | 2.1 
| rowspan=7|[[480i]] || rowspan=7| [[16:9]] || KASA-SD || [[Telemundo]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 2.3
| NBCLX || [[NBC American Crimes]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 2.4
| Oxygen || [[Oxygen (TV network)|Oxygen]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 29.1 
| TeleX || [[TeleXitos]]
|- style="background-color: #E6FFF7;"
! scope = "row" | 29.2 
| COZI H || [[Cozi TV]]
|- 
! scope = "row" | 29.3
| TBD || [[Roar (TV network)|Roar]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 20.4
| MOVIES || [Blank]
|}
{{legend|#E6FFF7|Simulcast of subchannels of another station}}

===Analog-to-digital conversion===
KASA-TV shut down its analog signal, over [[VHF]] channel 2, on June 12, 2009, the official date on which full-power television in the United States [[Digital television transition in the United States|transitioned from analog to digital broadcasts]] under federal mandate. The station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition [[UHF]] channel 27, using [[virtual channel]] 2.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and the Second Rounds |access-date=March 24, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829004251/http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |archive-date=August 29, 2013 }}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{official website|http://www.telemundo48elpaso.com/telemundo-nuevo-mexico/}}

{{Albuquerque TV}}
{{New Mexico Spanish TV}}
{{Colorado TV}}
{{NBCUniversal}}
{{Major U.S. TV O-O Stations}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kasa-Tv}}
[[Category:1983 establishments in New Mexico]]
[[Category:Cozi TV affiliates]]
[[Category:Hispanic and Latino American culture in Albuquerque, New Mexico]]
[[Category:Spanish-language television stations in New Mexico|ASA-TV]]
[[Category:Roar (TV network) affiliates]]
[[Category:Telemundo affiliates]]
[[Category:Telemundo Station Group]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1983]]
[[Category:TeleXitos affiliates]]