View source for KAZT-TV

{{Short description|Television station in Prescott, Arizona}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox television station
| callsign = KAZT-TV
| city = Prescott, Arizona
| logo = KAZT 2024.svg
| logo_upright = 1
| logo_alt = The CW logo, an orange thick logo with the letters C and W connected, in the lower left. Above it, right-aligned, is the word Arizona capitalized in a sans serif. To the right of both, full-height, is a sans-serif numeral 7.
| branding = CW7 Arizona
| digital = 7 ([[VHF]])
| virtual = 7
| affiliations = {{ubl|'''7.1:''' [[The CW]]|''for others, see {{section link||Subchannels}}''}}
| owner = Londen Media Group
| licensee = KAZT, [[L.L.C.]]
| operator = [[Nexstar Media Group]] ([[local marketing agreement|time brokerage]])
| location = [[Prescott, Arizona|Prescott]]–[[Phoenix, Arizona]]
| country = United States
| airdate = {{start date and age|1982|9|5|p=y|br=y}}
| callsign_meaning = Arizona Television (station branded as AZ-TV from 2002 to 2024)
| former_callsigns = {{ubl|KNAZ ([[construction permit|CP]], 1980)|KUSK (1980–2002)}}
| former_affiliations = [[Independent station|Independent]] (1982–2024)
| former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|'''Analog:''' 7 (VHF, 1982–2009)|'''Digital:''' 25 ([[UHF]], until 2009)}}
| erp = 3.2 [[kW]]
| haat = {{convert|792|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| facility_id = 35811
| coordinates = {{coord|34|41|15|N|112|7|3.5|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}
| licensing_authority = [[FCC]]
| website = {{URL|https://cw7az.com/}}
| embed_header = [[Broadcast relay station#Broadcast translators|Translator]] ''(for others, see {{section link||Translators}})''
| embedded = {{Infobox television station
| child = yes
| callsign = KAZT-CD
| digital = 36 (UHF)
| virtual = 7
| airdate = {{start date and age|1986|4|22|p=y|br=y}}
| location = Phoenix, Arizona
| callsign_meaning = Arizona Television
| former_callsigns = KAZT-CA (2002–2010)
| former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|'''Analog:''' 22 (1986–1992)|'''Digital:''' 27 (UHF, 2007–2009)}}
| erp = 15 kW
| haat = {{convert|517.5|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| facility_id = 72618
| class = [[Class A television service|CD]]
| coordinates = {{coord|33|20|2|N|112|3|43|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=KAZT-CD}}
| licensing_authority = FCC
}}
}}

'''KAZT-TV''' (channel 7) is a [[television station]] licensed to [[Prescott, Arizona]], United States, serving the [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]] television market as a ''de facto'' [[owned-and-operated station]] of [[The CW]]. The station is locally owned by the Londen family of Phoenix and managed under a multi-year [[Local marketing agreement|time brokerage agreement]] by [[Nexstar Media Group]], which owns 75% of the network. KAZT-TV has studios on Tower Road in Prescott and in the Londen Center on Camelback Road in Phoenix. Its main transmitter is located atop [[Mingus Mountain]] (northeast of Prescott). Its signal is relayed through a network of five [[Low-power broadcasting#Television|low-power]] [[Broadcast relay station#Broadcast translators|translators]] across central and [[northern Arizona]], including [[Class A television service|Class A]] station '''KAZT-CD''' in Phoenix.

A construction permit for channel 7 in Prescott was approved in 1980. The first owner, William H. Sauro, unsuccessfully sought a network affiliation for the station, but by late 1981, he had switched to envisioning it as a springboard for a national network of translators. KUSK debuted on September 5, 1982; it aired limited local programming but was primarily recognized in the market for classic TV series and a heavy sports schedule. KUSK began extending its reach by a series of low-power translators in the Phoenix area, [[Flagstaff, Arizona|Flagstaff]], and [[Yuma, Arizona|Yuma]], but it was not available on Phoenix's largest cable system until 1993. The station declared bankruptcy in 1997 and was almost sold to [[Harry Pappas]] to become an affiliate of the new [[Azteca América]] Spanish-language network.

After the sale to Pappas failed, the Londen family—owners of a life insurance company in Phoenix—acquired KUSK and overhauled the operation. The station was renamed as KAZT-TV on April 2, 2002. It remained an independent station with syndicated programming for Phoenix and Northern Arizona as well as some local shows and sports telecasts. In 2024, Nexstar assumed operational control of KAZT under a time brokerage agreement with Londen and moved the CW affiliation from a subchannel of [[KNXV-TV]].

==History==
===KUSK: Early years===
William H. Sauro obtained a construction permit from the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) on January 7, 1980, for a new television station on channel 7 to serve Prescott. The permit briefly carried the KNAZ call letters; during this time, Sauro sought a network affiliation for the new outlet and was ultimately denied by [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]], which felt it had adequate reach into Northern Arizona.<ref>{{cite news|page=8|work=Arizona Daily Sun|date=May 18, 1980|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48591107/|first=Rick|last=Velotta|title=Private Interests Draw Criticism from TV Group|access-date=April 12, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JZhOAAAAIBAJ&dq=KUSK&pg=PA3&article_id=5925,6005887|page=4A|date=July 30, 1982|work=The Courier|first=Steve|last=Mills|title=PAAT lets KUSK take heat}}</ref> Sauro also talked to [[CBS]], which he considered more of a longshot because [[KOOL-TV]], the Phoenix CBS affiliate, already had translators in several Northern Arizona communities.<ref name="Ariz800221">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-republic-voice-of-the-giants-m/48591320/|date=February 21, 1980|page=D15|first=Bud|last=Wilkinson|title='Voice of the Giants' moves base to cover Wildcats' games in Tucson|newspaper=Arizona Republic|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 21, 2023}}</ref><!-- Thu --> On September 29, 1980,<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=85707 |title= History Cards for KAZT-TV|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]}} ([[Wikipedia:WikiProject Radio Stations/History Cards|Guide to reading History Cards]])<!--Converted from {{FCC letter}}--></ref> the call letters were changed to KUSK (the [[KNAZ]] call letters were assigned to a station in [[Flagstaff, Arizona|Flagstaff]] the following year). Ground was broken on the station's Prescott studios in November 1981, by which time Sauro's plans had dramatically changed. Sauro partnered with a cable TV consultant to propose a "Neighborhood Television" network of more than 140 low-power translators in major markets across the country to air KUSK's programming; this would have cost $15 to $20 million to build.<ref>{{cite news|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48591741/|date=November 6, 1981|first=Bud|last=Wilkinson|access-date=April 12, 2020|title=Prescott channel aims to go national|page=E12|work=Arizona Republic}}</ref> The Neighborhood translators and program format for KUSK would have consisted of shows aimed at rural American audiences; Sauro described the theme as "the U.S., the greatest 'country' in the world".<ref>{{Cite news|pages=24–25|title=Sears has everything, maybe even translators|id={{ProQuest|962711444}}|work=Broadcasting|date=October 13, 1980}}</ref>

KUSK first signed on the air on September 5, 1982.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NronAAAAIBAJ&dq=KUSK+Sauro&pg=PA1&article_id=2463,5615316|work=The Courier|pages=1A, 12A|first=Craig|last=Howson|date=September 7, 1982|title=4-year dream is now a reality: KUSK is on the air}}</ref> Its program lineup was designed with the older demographics of [[Yavapai County]] in mind. It initially produced local news and sports programming for northern Arizona. The station launched with a nightly newscast anchored by Max Smith, a retired KOOL-TV newscaster and Prescott resident; the weather forecast was presented by a professor at [[Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University]].<ref name="Ariz820822">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-republic-small-stations-seek-aut/133793831/|date=August 22, 1982|pages=TV Digest 3, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-republic-autonomy/133793849/ 4]|first=Bud|last=Wilkinson|title=Small stations seek autonomy|newspaper=Arizona Republic|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 21, 2023}}</ref><!-- Sun --> The station also had a local information program on Saturdays, ''The Carol Adams Show''.<ref name="Ariz820818">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-daily-sun-prescott-tv-station-to/133794279/|date=August 18, 1982|page=2|first=Mary|last=O'Driscoll|title=Prescott TV Station to Debut|newspaper=Arizona Daily Sun|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 21, 2023}}</ref><!-- Wed --> However, a wave of layoffs in 1985 saw the station discontinue the newscast and other local programming, which included [[Yavapai College]] basketball and [[Bradshaw Mountain High School]] football; in addition, KUSK ceased making commercials for other clients.<ref name="Ariz850313">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-republic-prescotts-channel-7-la/133794342/|date=March 13, 1985|pages=E1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-republic-prescott/133794389/ E6]|first=Fred|last=Smith|title=Prescott's Channel 7 lays off 12, cuts news shows|newspaper=Arizona Republic|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 21, 2023}}</ref><!-- Wed --><ref>{{cite news|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48592068/|first=Don|last=Rabe|title=Extra Point|date=March 24, 1985|work=Arizona Daily Sun|access-date=April 12, 2020|page=15}}</ref>

===KUSK comes to Phoenix===
In 1985, Arizona Metro Television, Ltd., in which Sauro was a partner, acquired a Phoenix low-power TV station, K27AN, from the [[Meredith Corporation]], owners of [[KPHO-TV]] (channel 5); Meredith had opted not to build and program the station itself and sold it.<ref name="Ariz850723">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-republic-low-power-tv-permit-sol/48592575/|date=July 23, 1985|page=C10|first=Bud|last=Wilkinson|title=Low-power TV permit sold; new owners plan sports fare|newspaper=Arizona Republic|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 21, 2023}}</ref><!-- Tue --><ref name="Ariz850725">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-republic-kpnx-has-yet-to-pick-re/133794641/|date=July 25, 1985|page=F7|first=Bud|last=Wilkinson|title=KPNX has yet to pick replacement for Linda Alvarez|newspaper=Arizona Republic|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 21, 2023}}</ref><!-- Thu --> On April 22, 1986, the station began rebroadcasting KUSK's programming into the Phoenix area. By this time, KUSK programming included a heavy slate of summer baseball games, including the [[Oakland Athletics]] and [[California Angels]], as well as the music video service Hit Video USA.<ref name="taft">{{cite news|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48592612/|title=KTSP-TV general manager accepts Taft executive position|page=C9|date=April 22, 1986|first=Bud|last=Wilkinson|work=Arizona Republic|access-date=April 12, 2020}}</ref>

Sauro obtained two further translators, K55EH from [[Shaw Butte]] and K17BU on Usery Mountain, and signed them on in early 1988, creating a "synthetic full-power station" with the ability to target advertising to smaller sections of the Phoenix metropolitan area.<ref>{{cite news|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75671060/|accessdate=April 13, 2021|date=January 6, 1988|title=Sports-rich Channel 27 runs option into 'big-time'|page=C6|first=Bud|last=Wilkinson|work=The Arizona Republic}}</ref> In 1990, K27AN ceased airing KUSK's non-sports programming and began broadcasting the [[Home Shopping Network]] (HSN), which Sauro claimed was due to viewer demand.<ref name="Ariz900328">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-republic-cloned-abc-series-doe/133795139/|date=March 28, 1990|page=C5|first=Greg|last=Joseph|title='Cloned' ABC series does justice to law|newspaper=Arizona Republic|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 21, 2023}}</ref><!-- Wed --> In 1992, K27AN was converted to run home shopping programming full-time, with KUSK broadcasting through channels 17 and 55.<ref name="clearing">{{cite news|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75671204/|title=Clearing the air?|first=Bob|last=Cohn|work=The Arizona Republic|date=April 9, 1992|page=D2|accessdate=April 13, 2021}}</ref> That October, the station began broadcasting on a translator in Flagstaff.<ref>{{cite news|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75671500/|accessdate=April 13, 2021|date=October 10, 1992|page=1|title=On the air|work=Arizona Daily Sun}}</ref>

KAZT also held construction permits for another two translators, channel 43 in Casa Grande and channel 19 in Yuma.<ref>{{cite news|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75671637/|accessdate=April 13, 2021|date=March 13, 1989|title=KUSK-TV suitor claims operation needs bailout|first=Bud|last=Wilkinson|work=The Arizona Republic|page=D11}}</ref> The Casa Grande translator launched in 1994, as did coverage in [[Mohave County]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://casagrande.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=kusk&i=f&by=1994&bdd=1990&d=01011912-12312022&m=between&ord=k1&fn=casa_grande_dispatch_usa_arizona_casa_grande_19940514_english_1&df=1&dt=6|pages=1, 3|work=Casa Grande Dispatch|date=May 14, 1994|first=Jonetta R.|last=Trued|title=TV Station Airs in Valley}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CYwzAAAAIBAJ&dq=KUSK&pg=PA9&article_id=7081,2862155|work=Kingman Daily Miner|first=Eric|last=Oestmann|title=Prescott TV station on air in Kingman|page=2B|date=April 17, 1994}}</ref> The Yuma translator was the last to come on air, beginning broadcasts in 1995; within a year, Yuma viewers accounted for 10 percent of KUSK's audience.<ref name="reaches">{{cite news|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35155549/|title=KUSK (Channel 7, 55, 6, 20, 9, 17, 13) reaches a million from Prescott|first=Dave|last=Walker|date=April 12, 1996|accessdate=April 13, 2021|page=D15|work=The Arizona Republic}}</ref> In Phoenix, it took years for KUSK to gain market-wide cable coverage. In 1993, it finally succeeded in reaching a deal with Dimension Cable (now [[Cox Communications]]), the largest cable provider in the market; however, it was only added to rebuilt areas of the cable system,<ref>{{cite news|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75671862/|accessdate=April 13, 2021|title=KUSK to cable|page=F2|first=Bob|last=Cohn|date=June 10, 1993|work=The Arizona Republic}}</ref> which was not complete until 1996.<ref>{{Cite news|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75672023/|accessdate=April 13, 2021|date=March 2, 1995|title=KUSK-TV's growth a boon for sports fans|first=Bob|last=Cohn|work=The Arizona Republic|page=D2}}</ref> The station's sports rights had broadened beyond baseball to include [[Arizona Wildcats basketball]] and [[Northern Arizona Lumberjacks|Northern Arizona University]] and [[BYU Cougars|Brigham Young University]] athletics.{{r|reaches}} In the 1990s, KUSK aired a talk show hosted by [[Sam Steiger]].<ref>{{cite news|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75672497/|date=July 4, 1999|first=Dave|last=Walker|title=Steiger: The last angry oracle of Old Arizona|pages=E1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75672566/ E9], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75672593/ E10]|work=The Arizona Republic|accessdate=April 13, 2021}}</ref>

On December 5, 1997, KUSK, Inc., filed for [[Chapter 11 bankruptcy]], while the company reorganized. Sauro triggered the reorganization filing in order to end 18 months of litigation among the firm's shareholders, in spite of what he called the station's best year ever financially.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://phoenix.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/1997/12/29/newscolumn5.html |title=KUSK files Chapter 11 amid shareholder spat |first=Angela|last= Mull |work=The Business Journal of Phoenix |date=December 26, 1997 |access-date=September 14, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bMEKAAAAIBAJ&dq=KUSK+Sauro&pg=PA4&article_id=2381,2780037|pages=1A, 6A|first=Timothy|last=Callahan|title=Local television station files for reorganization|work=The Daily Courier|date=December 17, 1997}}</ref> KUSK emerged from bankruptcy in May 2000 and reached a $6.8 million deal later that year to sell the station to [[Harry Pappas]], who would have relaunched KUSK as an [[Azteca América]] affiliate.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-2000/BC-2000-10-02.pdf|accessdate=April 13, 2021|work=Broadcasting & Cable|first=Elizabeth|last=Rathbun|page=15|title=New Hispanic net goes on buying binge|date=October 2, 2000|id={{ProQuest|225307130}}}}</ref> Money problems, however, forced delays in the launch of Azteca América and scuttled most of the network's planned purchases and affiliate switches.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/not-so-fast-pappas-97220|access-date=April 13, 2021|date=July 2, 2001|work=Broadcasting & Cable|first=Dan|last=Trigoboff|title=Not so fast, Pappas|page=10}}</ref>

===KAZT-TV: The Londen years===
On November 30, 2001, KUSK reached an agreement to sell the station to the Londen family, owners of the Illinois-based Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance Company.{{r|PBJ020412}} The new owners immediately hired Ron Bergamo—formerly of [[KSAZ-TV]] and later [[KWBA-TV]] in [[Tucson]]—as general manager to run the station.<ref name="Ariz011208">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-republic-mayor-pratt-to-take-o/133795806/|date=December 8, 2001|page=E7|first=Michael|last=Clancy|title='Mayor' Pratt to take over afternoon shift at KZON|newspaper=Arizona Republic|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 21, 2023}}</ref><!-- Sat --> They officially took control of KUSK and its translator network on April 1, 2002. The day after the Londen Group closed on its purchase, it relaunched the station with new call letters: KAZT-TV. It also adopted a new brand, AZ-TV. The move came with a comprehensive management, technical, and programming overhaul. To help ensure that KAZT would "do some good for Arizona", the Londen family put together an advisory board of notable Arizonans, including [[Governor of Arizona|Governor]] [[Jane Dee Hull]], U.S. Representative [[Bob Stump]], prominent local auto dealer Lou Grubb, [[Jerry Colangelo]] of the [[Phoenix Suns]] and Arizona Diamondbacks, and [[Michael Bidwill]] of the [[Arizona Cardinals]]. Company patriarch Jack Londen later said that he had bought the station as a 50th anniversary gift for his wife, Dodie.<ref name="PBJ020412">{{cite news |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2002/04/15/story5.html |title=Londens' are driving force behind KAZT |first=Anne |last=Robertson |work=The Business Journal of Phoenix |date=April 12, 2002 |access-date=December 29, 2007}}</ref>

Three weeks later, on April 22, the station launched a new slate of local programming, including several talk shows (one hosted by longtime Valley broadcaster [[Pat McMahon (actor)|Pat McMahon]]) and a radio show simulcast from [[KTAR (AM)|KTAR]]; the new programs were split between the existing Prescott studio and a new studio in Phoenix.<ref name="Ariz020422">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-republic-new-station-az-local-as/133795877/|date=April 22, 2002|page=E6|first=Bill|last=Goodykoontz|title=New station AZ local as its name|newspaper=Arizona Republic|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 21, 2023}}</ref><!-- Mon --> KAZT also acquired a slate of [[Arizona State Sun Devils|Arizona State University]] athletic events, and it returned its programming to channel 27 from the two-transmitter setup.<ref>{{cite news|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75672682/|accessdate=April 13, 2021|date=April 30, 2002|first=Jim|last=Gintonio|title=Prescott station calls on Allen|work=The Arizona Republic|page=C2}}</ref> In addition, KAZT began airing ''The Best of [[Wallace and Ladmo]]'', a compilation of highlights from the long-running local children's show that McMahon co-hosted.<ref name="Ariz021019">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-republic-mcmahon-to-host-the-bes/133802119/|date=October 19, 2002|page=E5|title=McMahon to host the best of 'Ladmo'|newspaper=Arizona Republic|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 21, 2023}}</ref><!-- Sat --> Bergamo continued to run the station until he was killed in a car accident in 2008.<ref name="Ariz080108">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-republic-bergamo-longtime-tv-ex/133796780/|date=January 8, 2008|pages=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-republic-valleys-bergamo-rememb/133796755/ B6]|first=Richard|last=Ruelas|title=Bergamo, longtime TV exec, dies|newspaper=Arizona Republic|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 21, 2023}}</ref><!-- Tue -->

During the 2000s, the station served as a telecast outlet for various secondary sports. It picked up overflow events from [[Fox Sports Arizona]] as well as [[Phoenix Mercury]] women's basketball and preseason rights to [[Arizona Cardinals]] football.<ref name="Ariz030531">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-republic-kaz-tv-expands-coverage/133796653/|date=May 31, 2003|page=C17|title=KAZ-TV expands coverage of Cards, Mercury|newspaper=Arizona Republic|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 21, 2023}}</ref><!-- Sat --> In 2006, the station became the new broadcast home of the [[Phoenix Coyotes]] of the [[National Hockey League]];<ref name="Ariz060714">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-republic-seidenberg-sjostrom-ag/114945020/|date=July 14, 2006|page=42|title=Seidenberg, Sjostrom agree to 2-year deals|newspaper=Arizona Republic|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 21, 2023}}</ref><!-- Fri --> in the 2008–09 season, the station carried 20 games,<ref name="Ariz080904">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-republic-phoenix-is-a-finalist-f/133796981/|date=September 4, 2008|page=C3|title=Phoenix is a finalist for 2012-16 Final Fours|newspaper=Arizona Republic|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 21, 2023}}</ref><!-- Thu --> and Fox Sports Arizona became the team's sole TV home in 2009.<ref name="Ariz091001">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-republic-tippett-hopeful-lang-pl/133797039/|date=October 1, 2009|page=C6|first=Jim|last=Gintonio|title=Tippett hopeful Lang plays opener|newspaper=Arizona Republic|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 21, 2023}}</ref><!-- Thu --> In 2010, the station broadcast eight [[arena football]] games of the [[Arizona Rattlers]].<ref name="Ariz100218">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-republic-nfl-network-to-broadcas/133797165/|date=February 18, 2010|page=C2|title=NFL Network to broadcast Arena games|newspaper=Arizona Republic|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 21, 2023}}</ref><!-- Thu -->

The 2000s also saw several changes to the station's transmitters. K19CX in Yuma was required to drop KAZT programming on December 4, 2006, due to [[syndication exclusivity]] issues with other stations within that separate market and the increasing prevalence of syndicated fare on KAZT's schedule.<ref>{{cite news|work=Yuma Sun|date=November 13, 2006|title=KAZT-TV to sign off in Yuma|page=1|first=Jeffrey|last=Gautreaux|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-nov-13-2006-2384853/|accessdate=April 13, 2021}}</ref> It became a repeater of [[KAET]] (channel 8), the [[PBS]] station in Phoenix, and was sold directly to Arizona State University in 2013.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/station-trading-roundup-5-deals-28-8m/|work=TVNewsCheck|title=Station Trading Roundup: 5 Deals, $28.8M|date=July 23, 2013|accessdate=April 13, 2021}}</ref>

After [[KUTP]] (channel 45) signed on its digital signal on channel 26, its permanent allocation, KAZT-CA began to experience adjacent channel signal interference. The station requested Special Temporary Authority (STA) to shut off its analog signal and begin operating its digital signal on the same channel (called a "[[flash cut]]"). The FCC granted the STA on August 16, 2007, and KAZT-CA began broadcasting in digital on January 15, 2008.<ref name=KAZT-CA_DTV>{{cite web |url=http://www.arizonasown.com/Global/story.asp?S=7531350 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130117030154/http://www.arizonasown.com/Global/story.asp?S=7531350 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 17, 2013 |title=AZ-TV Now All-Digital Channel 7.1 in Phoenix: What You Need To Know (And Do) |publisher=Londen Media Group |date=January 15, 2008 |access-date=January 15, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getattachment_exh.cgi?exhibit_id=517198 |title=Station KAZT-CA — Flash Cut Application for D27 - Phoenix, Arizona |publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]] |date=July 24, 2007 |access-date=December 21, 2007}}</ref> On August 4, 2008, KAZT-CA applied to move its signal to channel 36, citing displacement due to continuing interference from KUTP.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101260410&formid=401&fac_num=72618 |title=KAZT-CA to move to channel 36 |publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]] |date=August 4, 2008 |access-date=August 4, 2008}}</ref> The FCC granted the displacement application on September 10, 2009, and on December 7, KAZT-CA ended broadcasts on channel 27, commencing operations on channel 36 five days later.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aztv.com/global/story.asp?s=11601914 |title=AZ-TV Transmitter Upgrades |publisher=KAZT website |access-date=December 9, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100108052601/http://www.aztv.com/Global/story.asp?S=11601914 |archive-date=January 8, 2010 }}</ref>

===Nexstar operation and affiliation with The CW===
On January 8, 2024, it was announced that KAZT-TV would become the new Phoenix-area affiliate for [[The CW]], effective February 1, 2024, as part of a time brokerage deal with the network's majority owner, [[Nexstar Media Group]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alex |date=January 8, 2024 |title=Nexstar Media Enters Into Time Brokerage Agreement with KAZT-TV in Phoenix, Arizona |url=https://www.nexstar.tv/nexstar-enters-into-time-brokerage-agreement-with-kazt-tv-in-phoenix/ |access-date=January 8, 2024 |publisher=Nexstar Media Group|language=en-US}}</ref> The time brokerage agreement began on January 5, 2024, and runs for an eight-year term.<ref>{{Cite web|date=January 1, 2024|title=Time Brokerage Agreement|website=Public Inspection File|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|url=https://publicfiles.fcc.gov/api/manager/download/ebd6d913-ce24-60f7-afab-cc22a18dbb5a/a122ee66-806f-418d-9145-0ca49f9f8bdd.pdf|access-date=January 24, 2024}}</ref> The relocation of the CW affiliation came three months after the network experienced a change in its Phoenix-market outlet. The previous November, the [[E. W. Scripps Company]], owner of longtime CW affiliate [[KASW]] (channel 61) and ABC affiliate [[KNXV-TV]], moved CW programming from KASW to a subchannel of KNXV-TV in order to place Coyotes hockey games on channel 61.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dachman |first=Jason |date=November 17, 2023 |title=Arizona Coyotes Move to New Scripps Sports OTA Station |url=https://www.sportsvideo.org/2023/11/17/arizona-coyotes-move-to-new-scripps-sports-ota-station/ |access-date=November 21, 2023 |website=Sports Video Group |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=November 15, 2023 |title=Arizona Coyotes Moving to New Home with Scripps Sports |url=https://www.nhl.com/coyotes/news/coyotes-moving-to-new-home-with-scripps |access-date=November 16, 2023 |website=Arizona Coyotes |language=en}}</ref>

==Local programming==
On weekday mornings, KAZT-TV airs ''Arizona Daily Mix'', produced from Phoenix and hosted by former [[KTVK]] anchor Brad Perry;<ref>{{Cite web|work=The Arizona Republic|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/media/2019/11/03/aztv-7-s-brad-perry-talks-returning-phoenix-tv/4115562002/|first=Bill|last=Goodykoontz|title=AZTV 7's Brad Perry talks about returning to Phoenix TV|date=November 3, 2019|url-access=subscription}}</ref> the station had previously aired a morning show known as ''Morning Scramble''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2016/01/04/kzaz-tv-host-lisa-schneider-cipriano-dies-after.html|title=KAZT-TV host Lisa Schneider-Cipriano dies after cancer battle|access-date=September 20, 2021|work=Phoenix Business Journal|first1=Mike|last1=Sunnucks|first2=Angela|last2=Gonzales}}</ref> Since at least 2009, the station has aired a live broadcast of the Catholic Mass from [[Cathedral of Saints Simon and Jude]] in Phoenix on Sundays.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2009/12/14/daily36.html|work=Phoenix Business Journal|first=Angela|last=Gonzales|title=Catholic radio station set for Phoenix launch|date=December 16, 2009|access-date=October 22, 2023}}</ref>

==Technical information==
===Subchannels===
The station's signal is [[Multiplex (TV)|multiplexed]]:
{| class="wikitable"
|+Subchannels of KAZT-TV and its translators<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KAZT-TV|title=TV Query for KAZT-TV|website=[[RabbitEars]]}}</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" | 7.1 
| rowspan=2|[[720p]] || rowspan=5|[[16:9]] || KAZT || [[The CW]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 7.2 
| MeTV || [[MeTV]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 7.3 
| [[480i]] || HSN || [[Merit TV]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 7.4 
| rowspan=2|720p || Charge || [[Charge! (TV network)|Charge!]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 7.5 
| AZTV || [[Rewind TV]]
|}

On October 13, 2008, KAZT-DT and KAZT-CA launched their first additional subchannel, featuring the [[Retro Television Network]] (RTV).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ir.emdaholdings.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=282649 |title=RTN to Launch in Phoenix, Bringing Total Number of Affiliates to 40 |publisher=Equity Media Holdings |date=December 19, 2007 |access-date=December 21, 2007 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080612210759/http://ir.emdaholdings.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=282649 |archive-date=June 12, 2008 }}</ref> On June 20, 2011, KAZT added [[MeTV]].<ref name=Me-TV>{{cite web|title=Me-TV Comes to AZ-TV!|url=http://www.aztv.com/story/14706458/metv?redirected=true|work=AZ-TV|access-date=June 9, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723202513/http://www.aztv.com/story/14706458/metv?redirected=true|archive-date=July 23, 2011}}</ref>

===Analog-to-digital conversion===
On February 22, 2001, the station was granted a construction permit to build its digital companion channel on UHF channel 25, and in October 2002, after receiving a grant of Special Temporary Authority (STA) to operate at roughly the same service level as its analog station, KAZT-DT came on the air. The station made its temporary operations permanent in August 2006, and on October 17, 2006, it was licensed. KAZT-TV shut down its analog signal, over [[VHF]] channel 7, on May 15, 2009;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101308777&formid=387&fac_num=35811|title=Analog Service Termination Notification |website=Consolidated Database System|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|access-date=April 17, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231021044229/https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101300177&formid=910&fac_num=35811|archive-date=October 21, 2023}}</ref> the station's digital signal then moved from UHF channel 25 to VHF channel 7.<ref name="Analog to Digital">{{Cite web |date=May 23, 2006 |title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and Second Rounds |url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |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 |access-date=August 29, 2021 |publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}</ref>

===Translators===
In addition to KAZT-CD in Phoenix, KAZT-TV is relayed on the following translators in northern Arizona:<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>
* [[Bullhead City]]: K24DK-D
* [[Flagstaff, Arizona|Flagstaff]]: K30DT-D
* [[Kingman, Arizona|Kingman]]: K20ID-D
* [[Lake Havasu City]]: K17DA-D

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{URL|https://cw7az.com/|Official website}}

{{PHX TV}}
{{Other Arizona Stations}}
{{Authority control}}
{{NXST TV}}
{{Major U.S. TV O-O Stations}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kazt-Tv}}
[[Category:1982 establishments in Arizona]]
[[Category:Charge! (TV network) affiliates]]
[[Category:Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1997]]
[[Category:The CW affiliates]]
[[Category:Merit TV affiliates]]
[[Category:MeTV affiliates]]
[[Category:Rewind TV affiliates]]
[[Category:Nexstar Media Group]]
[[Category:Prescott, Arizona]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1982]]
[[Category:Television stations in Phoenix, Arizona|AZT-TV]]