View source for KVIA-TV

{{Short description|Television station in El Paso, Texas}}
{{distinguish|WVIA-TV}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox television station
| callsign               = KVIA-TV
| city                   = El Paso, Texas
| logo                   = KVIA 2022.png
| logo_alt               = A white 7 in a white circle with red filled in. The ABC network logo, a black disk with lowercase letters a b c, overlaps it on the left side.
| image                  = KVIA-DT2 2024.svg
| image_upright          = 0.68
| image_alt              = The CW network logo in burnt orange with "El Paso" and "Las Cruces" written above it in black on two lines in a sans serif.
| branding               = {{ubl|'''7.1:''' ABC 7|'''7.2:''' El Paso–Las Cruces CW}}
| digital                = 17 ([[UHF]])
| virtual                = 7 
| subchannels            =
| translators            = ''see {{Section link||Translators}}''
| affiliations           = {{ubl|'''7.1:''' [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]|'''7.2:''' [[The CW]]|''for others, see {{section link||Subchannels}}''}}
| owner                  = [[News-Press & Gazette Company]]
| licensee               = NPG of Texas, [[Limited partnership|L.P.]]
| location               = {{ubl|[[El Paso, Texas]]|[[Las Cruces, New Mexico]]}}
| country                = United States
| airdate                = {{start date and age|1956|9|1|p=y}}
| former_callsigns       = {{ubl|KILT (1956–1957)|KELP-TV (1957–1976)}}
| former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|'''Analog:''' 13 ([[VHF]], 1956–1981), 7 (VHF, 1981–2009)|'''Digital:''' 17 (UHF, 2002–2009), 7 (VHF, 2009–2014)}}
| former_affiliations    = {{ubl|[[Independent station|Independent]] (1956)|[[Azteca América]] (DT4, 2008–2022)}}
| erp                    = 263 [[kW]]
| haat                   = {{convert|577|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| facility_id            = 49832
| coordinates            = {{Coord|31|48|18.9|N|106|29|0.7|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}
| licensing_authority    = [[FCC]]
| website                = {{URL|http://www.kvia.com/}} 
}}

'''KVIA-TV''' (channel 7) is a [[television station]] in [[El Paso, Texas]], United States, affiliated with [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] and [[The CW]]. Owned by the [[News-Press & Gazette Company]], the station maintains studios on Rio Bravo Street in northwest El Paso and a transmitter atop the [[Franklin Mountains (Texas)|Franklin Mountains]] within the El Paso city limits.

After an earlier permittee opted not to build, El Paso's third commercial television station began in 1956 as KILT on channel 13, the only television station built from the ground up by [[Gordon McLendon]]. It was co-owned with radio station [[KQBU (AM)|KELP (920 AM)]] and became known as KELP-TV in 1957 when McLendon sold his El Paso broadcast holdings. The call sign changed to KVIA-TV in 1976 when Marsh Media acquired the station. To improve ratings, Marsh opted to duplicate the successful formula of its [[KVII-TV]] in [[Amarillo, Texas|Amarillo]]; in 1981, the station moved from channel 13 to channel 7 in a switch with local public station [[KCOS (TV)|KCOS]]. News-Press & Gazette Company acquired KVIA-TV in 1995, marking its return to the television stations business.

==History==
Interest in channel 13—the originally authorized third commercial channel in El Paso—dated to the opening of television station applications after the end of the four-year freeze imposed by the [[Federal Communications Commission]] in 1952. El Paso radio station [[KTSM (AM)|KEPO]] applied for a channel 13 construction permit in July 1952<ref name="ElPa520717">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112670826/kepo-asks-permit-for-television-station/|date=July 17, 1952|page=1|title=KEPO Asks Permit For Television Station|newspaper=El Paso Herald-Post|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107053038/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112670826/kepo-asks-permit-for-television-station/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> and received it in October.<ref name="ElPa521024">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112670468/kepo-receives-television-permit/|date=October 24, 1952|page=1|title=KEPO Receives Television Permit|newspaper=El Paso Herald-Post|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107053039/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112670468/kepo-receives-television-permit/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> KEPO-TV would have been the third television station on air in El Paso after KROD-TV (channel 4, now [[KDBC-TV]]) and [[KTSM-TV]] (channel 9).<ref name="ElPa521102">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112670510/3-channels-assigned-to-city/|date=November 2, 1952|page=Television 1|title=3 Channels Assigned To City|newspaper=El Paso Times|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107053036/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112670510/3-channels-assigned-to-city/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> An antenna atop the Franklin Mountains was announced, as was affiliation with ABC (to match KEPO radio) and the ordering of equipment,<ref name="ElPa530730">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112670575/equipment-ordered-for-kepo-tv/|date=July 30, 1953|page=3|title=Equipment Ordered For KEPO-TV|newspaper=El Paso Times|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107053040/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112670575/equipment-ordered-for-kepo-tv/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> but KEPO management announced on December 23, 1953, that they had surrendered the permit and abandoned their television station plans. Station president Miller Robertson stated, "After a thorough analysis of the TV market here, and considering that two other TV stations already are in operation, we have definitely decided that a third TV station for El Paso is not feasible at this time."<ref name="ElPa531223">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112670619/kepo-abandons-television-station/|date=December 23, 1953|page=11|title=KEPO Abandons Television Station|newspaper=El Paso Herald-Post|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107053038/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112670619/kepo-abandons-television-station/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed -->

===Construction===
Within days of KEPO's announcement, another El Paso radio station immediately announced its interest in joining the television fray. [[KQBU (AM)|KELP (920 AM)]] announced on January 2, 1954, that they would apply for channel 13.<ref name="ElPa540102">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112670742/kelp-plans-tv-station-here/|date=January 2, 1954|page=1|title=KELP Plans TV Station Here|newspaper=El Paso Herald-Post|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107053038/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112670742/kelp-plans-tv-station-here/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> For the Trinity Broadcasting Corporation, a company owned by broadcaster [[Gordon McLendon]], it was the company's second proposed station, as the firm held a construction permit for the never-built [[KFXR (AM)|KLIF]]-TV in [[Dallas]].<ref name="ElPa540103">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112671236/kelp-plans-to-seek-tv-permit/|date=January 3, 1954|page=9-C|title=KELP Plans To Seek TV Permit|newspaper=El Paso Times|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107053039/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112671236/kelp-plans-to-seek-tv-permit/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> Even though KELP was an English-language radio station, it was announced that the new TV station would broadcast entirely in Spanish,<ref name="ElPa540111">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112671184/kelp-plans-to-telecast-in-spanish/|date=January 11, 1954|page=3|title=KELP Plans To Telecast In Spanish|newspaper=El Paso Times|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107053042/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112671184/kelp-plans-to-telecast-in-spanish/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> which would have made KELP-TV the first Spanish-language television station in the United States.<ref name="ElPa540319">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112671262/kelp-gets-permit-for-spanish-tv/|date=March 19, 1954|page=1|title=KELP Gets Permit For Spanish TV|newspaper=El Paso Herald-Post|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107053037/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112671262/kelp-gets-permit-for-spanish-tv/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->

The FCC awarded Trinity the construction permit on March 18, 1954.<ref name="hc">{{cite web|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/api/download/attachment/25076ff38137a8290181393639b9013d|title=FCC History Cards for KVIA-TV|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]}}</ref> However, activity was slowed down when McLendon petitioned the FCC to switch his station to channel 7, which had been reserved for educational use, so as to gain a more competitive dial position; El Paso city schools and [[University of Texas at El Paso|Texas Western College]] supported the proposal.<ref name="ElPa540512">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112671409/kelp-tv-asks-channel-change/|date=May 12, 1954|page=6|title=KELP-TV Asks Channel Change|newspaper=El Paso Herald-Post|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107053040/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112671409/kelp-tv-asks-channel-change/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --><ref name="ElPa540623">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112671507/e-p-station-asks-tv-channel-change/|date=June 23, 1954|page=6|agency=United Press|title=E. P. Station Asks TV Channel Change|newspaper=El Paso Herald-Post|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107053039/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112671507/e-p-station-asks-tv-channel-change/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> This proposal was declined by the FCC in January 1955.<ref name="ElPa550128">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112671549/channel-change-for-kelp-denied-by-fcc/|date=January 28, 1955|page=1|title=Channel Change For KELP Denied By FCC|newspaper=El Paso Times|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107053041/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112671549/channel-change-for-kelp-denied-by-fcc/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->

Construction activity moved apace on the station, which changed call signs from KELP-TV to KOKE (in September 1954) and then KILT (in 1956),{{r|hc}} and KILT began broadcasting on September 1, 1956, as an English-language station. This made it the only television station built from the ground up by McLendon, whose only other startup venture was KLIF radio in Dallas.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/BOOKSHELF-ARH/Biography/Gordon-Mclendon-Garay.pdf|isbn=978-0-313-26676-8|first=Ronald|last=Garay|title=Gordon McLendon: The Maverick of Radio|publisher=Greenwood Press|year=1992|via=World Radio History|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=June 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622181749/https://worldradiohistory.com/BOOKSHELF-ARH/Biography/Gordon-Mclendon-Garay.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|92}} Two months passed before the station affiliated with ABC in early November.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1956/1956-11-05-BC.pdf|work=Broadcasting|date=November 5, 1956|title=KILT (TV), ABC-TV Affiliate|id={{ProQuest|1285736245}}|page=64|access-date=November 6, 2022|archive-date=December 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206011019/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1956/1956-11-05-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Harris–Alexander and Walton ownership===
In March 1957, McLendon sold KELP and KILT to KELP Television Corporation, whose owners—Joseph Harris and Norman Alexander—were the same as [[KXLY-AM]]-[[KXLY-TV|TV]] in [[Spokane, Washington]], for $750,000.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1957/1957-03-25-BC.pdf|id={{ProQuest|1401220115}}|title=KELP, KILT-TV Sale Receives FCC Approval|page=64|work=Broadcasting|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=October 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028123443/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1957/1957-03-25-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> On May 1, the new owners restored the KELP-TV call sign to channel 13 as part of their takeover.<ref name="ElPa570503">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112672547/radio-station-sold-gets-new-manager/|date=May 3, 1957|page=3|title=Radio Station Sold; Gets New Manager|newspaper=El Paso Herald-Post|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107053044/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112672547/radio-station-sold-gets-new-manager/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->{{r|hc}} (The KILT call letters were retained by McLendon and placed on [[KILT (AM)|a radio station in Houston]] that same month.<ref>{{cite news|title=KLBS Will Become KILT Next Tuesday|work=[[Houston Chronicle]]|page=A8|date=May 11, 1957}}</ref>) KELP Television moved the transmitter from its original in-town site, with the studios at 4530 Delta, to the Franklin Mountains in 1960.<ref name="ElPa601209">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112673041/new-transmitter-station/|date=December 9, 1960|page=32|title=New Transmitter Station|newspaper=El Paso Times|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107053043/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112673041/new-transmitter-station/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->

After six months of negotiations, Harris and Alexander announced the sale of KELP radio and television to John B. Walton in September 1965.<ref name="ElPa650930">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112673272/kelp-radio-tv-stations-sold/|date=September 30, 1965|page=1-B|title=KELP Radio-TV Stations Sold|newspaper=El Paso Times|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107053042/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112673272/kelp-radio-tv-stations-sold/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> Walton broke ground that May on a new studio complex in the Executive Park area for the KELP stations, which would contain new color equipment for the TV station.<ref name="ElPa660630">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112673436/park-dedication-speaker-sees-promising-f/|date=June 30, 1966|page=1-B|title=Park Dedication Speaker Sees Promising Future For EP|newspaper=El Paso Times|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110050206/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112673436/park-dedication-speaker-sees-promising/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> The new facilities, opened in April 1967, included an outdoor studio complete with a swimming pool and fountain.<ref name="ElPa670415">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112673496/new-studios-to-be-open-to-public/|date=April 15, 1967|page=8-A|title=New Studios To Be Open To Public|newspaper=El Paso Times|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107053045/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112673496/new-studios-to-be-open-to-public/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> The facility was expanded again in 1973.<ref name="ElPa730213">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112673811/kelp-tv-expands-studio-facilities/|date=February 13, 1973|page=B-3|title=KELP-TV Expands Studio Facilities|newspaper=El Paso Herald-Post|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107053047/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112673811/kelp-tv-expands-studio-facilities/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue -->

During this time, Walton also expanded KELP-TV's reach. In 1966, he had bought [[KAVE-TV]] (channel 6) in [[Carlsbad, New Mexico]],<ref name="Carl660908">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112675147/for-118000-carlsbad-tv-station-sold/|date=September 8, 1966|page=1|title=For $118,000: Carlsbad TV Station Sold|newspaper=Carlsbad Current-Argus|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107063632/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112675147/for-118000-carlsbad-tv-station-sold/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> which he originally ran as a [[broadcast relay station#satellite station|satellite station]] of his [[KWES-TV|KVKM-TV]] in [[Monahans, Texas]]. Three years later, when Walton sold KVKM-TV, KAVE-TV was converted to relaying KELP-TV, which it would do for the next 24 years.<ref name="Lubb690213">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112675135/sale-to-grayson-gets-fcc-okay/|date=February 13, 1969|page=10-A|title=Sale To Grayson Gets FCC Okay|newspaper=Lubbock Avalanche-Journal|location=Lubbock, Texas|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107063634/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112675135/sale-to-grayson-gets-fcc-okay/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu -->

===Marsh Media ownership===
In March 1975, Marsh Media, a company owned by [[Stanley Marsh 3]], sued Walton in Texas district court for breach of contract. In 1967, Walton had sold the Marsh family [[KVII-TV]], the ABC affiliate in [[Amarillo, Texas|Amarillo]], and the right of first refusal to purchase several other Walton stations. The Marsh family contended that, even though they had the right to be the lender of first choice, a transfer of stock to Helen B. Walton and the placement of Walton stock as collateral with a bank violated their contract.<ref name="ElPa750401">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112674023/tv-station-buy-dispute-in-court/|date=April 1, 1975|page=1-D|title=TV Station Buy Dispute In Court|newspaper=El Paso Times|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107063638/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112674023/tv-station-buy-dispute-in-court/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> In October, Marsh exercised its option to purchase KELP-TV and KAVE-TV from Walton for $3,075,000, separating KELP television from the radio station.<ref name="ElPa751028">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112674063/kelp-tv-purchased-by-amarillo-firm/|date=October 28, 1975|page=B-5|title=KELP-TV purchased by Amarillo firm|newspaper=El Paso Herald-Post|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107063634/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112674063/kelp-tv-purchased-by-amarillo-firm/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --><ref>{{Cite news|id={{ProQuest|1016880457}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1975/1975-12-22-BC.pdf|work=Broadcasting|title=Changing Hands|date=December 22, 1975|page=26|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308024224/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1975/1975-12-22-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Marsh took control in April 1976, and a new KVIA-TV call sign was adopted on April 9.<ref name="ElPa760414">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112674093/el-paso-television-station-bought-by-mar/|date=April 14, 1976|page=12|title=El Paso Television Station Bought By Marsh Media|newspaper=El Paso Times|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110050206/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112674093/el-paso-television-station-bought-by/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed -->{{r|hc}}

Walton and Marsh each supported efforts to establish a public television station in El Paso, [[KCOS (TV)|KCOS]], on the originally assigned educational channel 7. KVIA-TV and KCOS shared a tower, and Marsh granted half-ownership in a new combined antenna to broadcast channels 7 and 13.<ref name="ElPa780409">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112674320/pbs-transmitter-installed-on-mountain/|date=April 9, 1978|page=Sundial 19|title=PBS Transmitter Installed On Mountain|newspaper=El Paso Times|location=El Paso, Texas|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107192332/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112674320/pbs-transmitter-installed-on-mountain/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> Delays had previously been experienced when channel 13 was sold, as the agreement had to be renegotiated.<ref name="ElPa761220">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112674137/public-tv-backers-running-out-of-time-m/|date=December 20, 1976|page=A-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112674156/time-money-running-out-for-public-tv/ A-3]|first=Manny|last=Ontiveros|title=Public TV backers running out of time, money|newspaper=El Paso Herald-Post|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110050207/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112674137/public-tv-backers-running-out-of-time/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> The agreement also contained a clause by which, if both parties and the FCC agreed, KVIA and KCOS could swap channel designations, moving KCOS to channel 13 and KVIA-TV to channel 7. The FCC approved of this in June 1981,<ref name="ElPa810620">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112674348/television-stations-will-swap-channels/|date=June 20, 1981|page=B-6|title=Television stations will swap channels|newspaper=El Paso Herald-Post|location=El Paso, Texas|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107192330/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112674348/television-stations-will-swap-channels/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> and the change took effect on July 10. Reasons cited for the move included placing KVIA-TV between the other two network affiliates—as McLendon had sought to do in 1955—as well as aligning KVIA-TV with the various ABC [[owned-and-operated station]]s—and KVII-TV—that also broadcast on channel 7.{{r|ElPa810620}}<ref name="ElPa810710">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112676464/the-great-channel-change/|date=July 10, 1981|page=Accent 9|title=The Great Channel Change|newspaper=El Paso Herald-Post|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107192332/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112676464/the-great-channel-change/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->

Marsh Media also experimented with more local autonomy for KAVE-TV in Carlsbad. Marsh invested a reported $1 million to set up a local operation in the city to originate regional news coverage for southeastern New Mexico.<ref name="Carl820416">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112674768/citys-own-tv-station-in-the-works/|date=April 16, 1982|page=1|title=City's Own TV Station In The Works|newspaper=Carlsbad Current-Argus|location=Carlsbad, New Mexico|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107192331/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112674768/citys-own-tv-station-in-the-works/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> On September 2, 1982, KAVE-TV began airing its own evening newscast.<ref name="Carl820902">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112674827/on-the-air/|date=September 2, 1982|page=3|title=On The Air|newspaper=Carlsbad Current-Argus|location=Carlsbad, New Mexico|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107192329/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112674827/on-the-air/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> However, Marsh admitted that it had overestimated the regional economy when it conducted a round of layoffs at KAVE-TV the next year, reducing its full-time staff from 22 to 16.<ref name="Carl830708">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112674946/kave-tv-cuts-staff/|date=July 8, 1983|page=3|title=KAVE-TV Cuts Staff|newspaper=Carlsbad Current-Argus|location=Carlsbad, New Mexico|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107192331/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112674946/kave-tv-cuts-staff/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> That year, the station switched from broadcasting on Mountain Time to Central Time,<ref name="Carl830925">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112676242/the-new-fall-season-on-kave-tv-is-now/|date=September 25, 1983|page=2|title=The New Fall Season On KAVE-TV Is Now On CENTRAL TIME!|newspaper=Carlsbad Current-Argus|location=Carlsbad, New Mexico|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107192334/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112676242/the-new-fall-season-on-kave-tv-is-now/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> which at the time was used by the other southeastern New Mexico TV stations, [[KBIM-TV]] and [[KSWS-TV]].<ref name="Carl860807">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112697238/kbim-switching-news-show-hours/|date=August 7, 1986|first=Colleen|last=Rae|page=3|title=KBIM Switching News Show Hours|newspaper=Carlsbad Current-Argus|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107192334/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112697238/kbim-switching-news-show-hours/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> This had the effect of moving the Carlsbad newscasts to 5:30 and 9 p.m. However, Marsh folded the local operation in July 1984, with a company spokesman stating that it "did not prove to be economically feasible".<ref name="Carl840703">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112674869/kave-tv-pulling-out/|date=July 3, 1984|page=1|first=Jay|last=Klee|title=KAVE-TV Pulling Out|newspaper=Carlsbad Current-Argus|location=Carlsbad, New Mexico|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107192332/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112674869/kave-tv-pulling-out/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> In 1987, the station changed its call sign to KVIO-TV; six years later, Marsh sold it to [[Pulitzer Broadcasting]], then-owner of fellow ABC affiliate [[KOAT-TV]] in [[Albuquerque]], which changed its call letters to KOCT and converted it into a satellite of KOAT.<ref name="Albu930529">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112674704/koat-buys-kvio-tv-in-carlsbad/|date=May 29, 1993|page=B7|first=Rick|last=Nathanson|title=KOAT Buys KVIO-TV In Carlsbad|newspaper=Albuquerque Journal|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107063635/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112674704/koat-buys-kvio-tv-in-carlsbad/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat -->

===NPG ownership===
Marsh Media announced the sale of KVIA-TV to the [[News-Press & Gazette Company]] of [[St. Joseph, Missouri]], in August 1994. For NPG, it marked a return to television; the company had previously owned and sold an eight-station group.<ref name="ElPa940831">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112697524/missouri-company-to-buy-channel-7-kvia/|date=August 31, 1994|page=1A|first1=Gordon|last1=Dickson|first2=Diana|last2=Washington Valdez|title=Missouri company to buy Channel 7-KVIA|newspaper=El Paso Times|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107193052/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112697524/missouri-company-to-buy-channel-7-kvia/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --><ref name="Ariz930709">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104403830/broadcast-group-buys-kold-tv-7-other-st/|date=July 9, 1993|page=8B|first=Roderick|last=Gary|title=Broadcast group buys KOLD-TV, 7 other stations|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|location=Tucson, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 25, 2022|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625220120/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104403830/broadcast-group-buys-kold-tv-7-other/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> The $19.9 million transaction closed in January 1995.<ref name="ElPa950124">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112697659/channel-7s-new-owner/|date=January 24, 1995|page=8D|title=Channel 7's new owner|newspaper=El Paso Times|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107193048/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112697659/channel-7s-new-owner/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue -->

While KVIA briefly experienced personnel turmoil in 1999 upon the departure of general manager Art Olivas,<ref name="ElPa990527">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112698579/general-manager-quits-at-7-kvia/|date=May 27, 1999|page=1B|first=Ramón|last=Rentería|title=General manager quits at 7-KVIA|newspaper=El Paso Times|location=El Paso, Texas|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 8, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108023609/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112698579/general-manager-quits-at-7-kvia/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --><ref name="ElPa990803">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112697802/kvia-stations-new-general-manager-is/|date=August 3, 1999|page=1D, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112697823/kvia/ 4D]|first=Ramón|last=Rentería|title=KVIA: Station's new general manager is a familiar face beginning new era of great challenges|newspaper=El Paso Times|location=El Paso, Texas|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 8, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108023611/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112697802/kvia-stations-new-general-manager-is/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> it rebounded under his replacement, Kevin Lovell, a former weekend sports anchor in the early 1980s who returned to KVIA in 1995 and remained with the station until his 2022 retirement.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.elpasoinc.com/news/local_news/kevin-lovell-retiring-after-two-decades-as-abc-7-gm/article_00fd1640-81ff-11ec-897f-67b7322fe1b5.html|title=Kevin Lovell retiring after two decades as ABC-7 GM|first=Sara|last=Sanchez|work=El Paso Inc.|date=January 30, 2022|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108023610/https://www.elpasoinc.com/news/local_news/kevin-lovell-retiring-after-two-decades-as-abc-7-gm/article_00fd1640-81ff-11ec-897f-67b7322fe1b5.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2006, KVIA started a second [[digital subchannel]] to carry [[The CW]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/news-articles/cw-adds-five-affils/79130|date=March 7, 2006|work=Broadcasting & Cable|title=The CW Adds Five Affils|access-date=May 19, 2014|archive-date=May 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519204253/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/news-articles/cw-adds-five-affils/79130|url-status=live}}</ref> Neither of the predecessor networks, [[UPN]] or [[The WB]], had been seen over-the-air in the Sun City since 2002, when the local affiliate for both networks, KKWB, was sold and became Spanish-language [[KTFN]].<ref name="ElPa020111">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112698053/format-change-slays-buffy-favorite-up/|date=January 11, 2002|page=2D|first=Maribel|last=Villalva|title=Format change slays 'Buffy': Favorite UPN shows vanish in KKWB switch|newspaper=El Paso Times|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110050207/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112698053/format-change-slays-buffy-favorite/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> [[Time Warner Cable]] did not broadcast the subchannel to its El Paso-area subscribers until April 2007.<ref>{{cite web|website=KVIA|date=April 19, 2007|url=http://www.kvia.com/Global/story.asp?S=6394674|title=The CW Wait Over|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927022003/http://www.kvia.com/Global/story.asp?S=6394674 |archive-date=September 27, 2007 }}</ref>

==News operation==
When Marsh purchased the then-KELP-TV, its local newscasts were in third place in the El Paso market.<ref name="ElPa770116">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112674172/kvia-pros-seek-top-ratings/|date=January 16, 1977|page=Sundial 3|first=Ed|last=Kimble|title=KVIA Pros Seek Top Ratings|newspaper=El Paso Times|location=El Paso, Texas|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107200916/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112674172/kvia-pros-seek-top-ratings/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> The company sought to replicate the success it had in Amarillo, where KVII-TV had been turned around from a distant third into one of the nation's highest-rated ABC affiliates and commanded 65% of the local news audience.<ref name="Fort771030">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112674275/millionaire-pursues-the-ultimate-in/|date=October 30, 1977|page=1B|first=John|last=Makeig|title=Millionaire pursues the ultimate in outrageous taste|newspaper=Fort Worth Star-Telegram|location=Fort Worth, Texas|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107200918/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112674275/millionaire-pursues-the-ultimate-in/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> Jim Pratt was sent from Amarillo to El Paso to lead an overhaul of the KVIA-TV news operation. The ''Pro News'' title and "happy talk" format used in Amarillo were brought to El Paso,{{r|ElPa770116}} creating what one ''[[El Paso Times]]'' columnist called a "volatile [[menudo (soup)|menudo]]" between out-of-town and local personnel.<ref name="ElPa980414">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112676043/pro-news-alumni-trade-70s-tv/|date=April 14, 1998|page=1D|first=Ramón|last=Rentería|title=Pro News alumni trade '70s TV journalism war stories|newspaper=El Paso Times|location=El Paso, Texas|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107200920/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112676043/pro-news-alumni-trade-70s-tv/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> Shortly after, morale hit a highly visible nadir, as channel 13's ratings gains did not match those of the ABC network. During a commercial break in the late newscast on December 31, 1977, Pratt and co-anchor Al Hinojos engaged in a fist fight over scriptwriting duties. When the newscast returned, Hinojos had left the set.<ref name="ElPaH780105">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112675697/kvia-fist-fight-reported/|date=January 5, 1978|page=D-6|title=KVIA fist fight reported|newspaper=El Paso Herald-Post|location=El Paso, Texas|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107200917/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112675697/kvia-fist-fight-reported/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --><ref name="ElPa780105">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112675897/kvia-pro-newscasters-stop-happy-talk/|date=January 5, 1978|page=1A|title=KVIA Pro Newscasters Stop 'Happy Talk' During Break|newspaper=El Paso Times|location=El Paso, Texas|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107200918/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112675897/kvia-pro-newscasters-stop-happy-talk/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> Pratt resigned days later and was replaced by Hinojos.{{r|ElPa780105}}

Ratings began to improve in the late 1970s. By early 1979, the 6 p.m. newscast had inched up to second place and the 10 p.m. newscast into a tie for first.<ref name="ElPa790119">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112674478/local-news-ratings-a-matter-of-money/|date=January 19, 1979|page=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112674466/el-pasos-tv-news-ratings-a-matter-of/ 10A]|first=Ed|last=Kimble|title=Local News Ratings A Matter Of Money|newspaper=El Paso Times|location=El Paso, Texas|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107200919/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112674478/local-news-ratings-a-matter-of-money/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> While KDBC-TV remained the news leader in El Paso, the three stations engaged in fierce competition throughout the 1980s for viewers.<ref name="ElPa840516">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112709952/kdbc-holds-news-lead/|date=May 16, 1984|page=B-17|first=Don|last=Woodyard|title=KDBC holds news lead|newspaper=El Paso Herald-Post|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108013614/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112709952/kdbc-holds-news-lead/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --><ref name="ElPa850622">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112700178/new-ratings-juggle-positions-among/|date=June 22, 1985|page=7-D|first=Phil|last=Ross|title=New ratings juggle positions among networks|newspaper=El Paso Times|location=El Paso, Texas|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108013616/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112700178/new-ratings-juggle-positions-among/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --><ref name="ElPa860114">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112700050/channel-4s-6-pm-news-is-no-1-rating/|date=January 14, 1986|page=11-A|first=Diana|last=Washington|title=Channel 4's 6 p.m. news is No. 1: Ratings companies find a 3-way battle for 10 p.m. audiences|newspaper=El Paso Times|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110050207/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112700050/channel-4s-6-pm-news-is-no-1/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> In 1988, KVIA-TV broke through and began a run as the number-one station in early and late evening news,<ref name="ElPa920907">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112716620/stations-unveil-new-fall-plans/|date=September 7, 1992|page=D1|first=Robbie|last=Farley-Villalobos|title=Stations unveil new fall plans|newspaper=El Paso Herald-Post|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 8, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108013614/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112716620/stations-unveil-new-fall-plans/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> and five years later, KDBC-TV anchor [[Estela Casas]] left that station to become the new main female anchor on KVIA's newscasts, joining channel 7 mainstay Gary Warner.<ref name="ElPa930311">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112716457/tv-news-anchor-casas-switches-to-channel/|date=March 11, 1993|page=A1|first=Robbie|last=Farley-Villalobos|title=TV news anchor Casas switches to Channel 7|newspaper=El Paso Herald-Post|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 8, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110050207/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112716457/tv-news-anchor-casas-switches-to/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu -->

However, the 1990s would eventually belong to a revitalized KTSM-TV in the news ratings. In 1991, several employees defected to channel 9, where they reunited with Richard Pearson, a former KVIA general manager who departed to head up KTSM radio and television.<ref name="ElPa911203">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112676458/more-channel-7-workers-switch-over-to/|date=December 3, 1991|page=1D|first=Lise|last=Nielsen|title=More Channel 7 workers switch over to Pearson's 9|newspaper=El Paso Times|location=El Paso, Texas|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 8, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108013612/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112676458/more-channel-7-workers-switch-over-to/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> The two stations traded ratings wins for much of the decade,<ref name="ElPa931222">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112717675/tv-stations-share-no-1-newscasts/|date=December 22, 1993|page=B-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112717699/ratings/ B-2]|first=Deborah|last=Martin|title=TV stations share No. 1 newscasts: Channels 7 and 9 get most viewers|newspaper=El Paso Herald-Post|location=El Paso, Texas|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 8, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108013613/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112717675/tv-stations-share-no-1-newscasts/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --><ref name="ElPa951227">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112717766/kvia-ktsm-rate-no-1-low-response-make/|date=December 27, 1995|page=1D, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112717792/ratings/ 3D]|first=Ramón|last=Rentería|title=KVIA, KTSM rate No. 1: Low response makes ratings ambiguous|newspaper=El Paso Times|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 8, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110050207/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112717766/kvia-ktsm-rate-no-1-low-response/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> but by 1998, channel 9 had emerged as the clear leader in the market.<ref name="ElPa980627">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112717850/channel-9-keeps-overall-edge/|date=June 27, 1998|page=1C, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112717913/nielsen/ 6C]|first=Ramón|last=Rentería|title=Channel 9 keeps overall edge|newspaper=El Paso Times|location=El Paso, Texas|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 8, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108013615/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112717850/channel-9-keeps-overall-edge/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat -->

The Casas–Warner tandem continued on the air until 2008, when Warner retired after a 34-year association with the station dating to 1974 (preceded by a year at KELP radio), only interrupted by a brief stint with [[CNN]].<ref name="ElPa920210">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112719602/warner-wears-2-hats-at-kvia-both/|date=February 10, 1992|page=1C, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112720545/warner/ 3C]|first=Lise|last=Nielsen|title=Warner wears 2 hats at KVIA: Both anchor and news director, he can't afford inefficiency|newspaper=El Paso Times|location=El Paso, Texas|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 8, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108023607/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112719602/warner-wears-2-hats-at-kvia-both/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --><ref name="ElPa080518">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112718924/gary-says-goodbye-retiring-anchor-will/|date=May 18, 2008|page=1F, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112718888/warner/ 5F]|first=Maribel|last=Villalva|title=Gary says goodbye: Retiring anchor will read his final newscast Wednesday|newspaper=El Paso Times|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 8, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108023606/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112718924/gary-says-goodbye-retiring-anchor-will/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> By 2012, KVIA-TV had returned to being the news ratings leader in the market among English-language stations.<ref>{{cite news|work=Broadcasting & Cable|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/market-eye-bliss-border-43267|date=January 15, 2012|first=Michael|last=Malone|title=Market Eye: Bliss on the Border|access-date=November 8, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108023605/https://www.nexttv.com/news/market-eye-bliss-border-43267|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Notable former on-air staff===
* [[Tom Costello (journalist)|Tom Costello]] — reporter, c. 1987<ref name="ElPa870822">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112719397/station-breaks/|date=August 22, 1987|page=2D|title=Station breaks|newspaper=El Paso Times|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 8, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108015912/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112719397/station-breaks/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat -->
* [[Patricio G. Espinoza]] — reporter, c. 1993<ref name="ElPa930818">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112676389/news-people-play-musical-chairs-station/|date=August 18, 1993|page=B1|title=News people play musical chairs: Stations' changing faces are attempt to attract Hispanic viewers|newspaper=El Paso Herald-Post|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 8, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110050207/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112676389/news-people-play-musical-chairs/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed -->
* [[Amy Jacobson]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=About Amy Jacobson|url=https://morninganswerchicago.com/about-amy-jacosbon/|access-date=September 14, 2024|work=[[WIND (AM)|Chicago's Morning Answer (AM 560 - WIND)]]|language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Indra Petersons]] — meteorologist, c. 2002<ref name="ElPa021119">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112722964/weatherman-to-leave-kvia/|date=November 19, 2002|page=1D|title=Weatherman to leave KVIA|newspaper=El Paso Times|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 8, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108032702/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112722964/weatherman-to-leave-kvia/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue -->
* [[Art Rascon]] — reporter, 1987–1988{{r|ElPa870822}}<ref name="ElPa960528">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/el-paso-herald-post-border-journalists-e/159657121/|date=May 28, 1996|page=D-1|first=Betty|last=Ligon|title=Border journalists earn accolades at banquet|newspaper=El Paso Herald-Post|location=El Paso, Texas|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 24, 2024}}</ref><!-- Tue -->

==Technical information==

===Subchannels===
The station's signal is [[Multiplex (TV)|multiplexed]]:
{| class="wikitable"
|+Subchannels of KVIA-TV<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KVIA#station|title=RabbitEars TV Query for KVIA|website=[[RabbitEars]]|access-date=February 6, 2014|archive-date=February 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222001033/http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KVIA#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" | 7.1 
| [[720p]] || rowspan=2| [[16:9]] || KVIA DT || [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 7.2 
| [[1080i]] || CW || [[The CW]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 7.3 
| rowspan=6| [[480i]] || rowspan=2| [[4:3]] || ION || [[Ion Television]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 7.4 
| QVC || [[QVC]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 7.5 
| rowspan=4| 16:9 || LAFF || [[Laff (TV network)|Laff]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 7.6 
| IONPLUS || [[Ion Plus]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 7.7 
| GRIT || [[Grit (TV network)|Grit]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 7.8 
| CONFESS || Confess
|}

===Analog-to-digital conversion===
KVIA-TV shut down its analog signal, over [[VHF]] channel 7, at 12:30&nbsp;p.m. 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 relocated from its pre-transition [[UHF]] channel 17 to VHF channel 7 for post-transition operations.<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> Due to reports of reception issues with its signal, KVIA was granted permission by the [[Federal Communications Commission]] to operate a secondary signal on its former UHF digital channel 17 under special temporary authorization on July 23, 2009. Tests were conducted of signal strength from the VHF and UHF transmitters.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/u-vs-v-in-el-paso-its-up-in-the-air/|first=Harry A.|last=Jessell|title=U Vs. V: In El Paso, It's Up In The Air|work=TVNewsCheck|date=July 30, 2009|access-date=November 8, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108023618/https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/u-vs-v-in-el-paso-its-up-in-the-air/|url-status=live}}</ref> KVIA later filed a petition to the FCC to permanently operate its digital signal exclusively on UHF channel 17, which the commission approved in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|title=Notice of Proposed Rulemaking|url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-746A1.pdf|work=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|date=April 16, 2011|access-date=May 19, 2014}}{{Dead link|date=February 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/kviatv-to-return-to-predtv-transition-channel|work=TVTechnology|date=July 12, 2011|title=KVIA-TV to Return to Pre-DTV Transition Channel|access-date=November 8, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108032725/https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/kviatv-to-return-to-predtv-transition-channel|url-status=live}}</ref> The license to operate on channel 17 was issued on October 10, 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_list.pl?Arn=20140828ACL|website=Consolidated Database System|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|title=License To Cover for DTV Application (BLCDT-20140828ACL)|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108032704/https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_list.pl?Arn=20140828ACL|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Translators===
KVIA-TV maintains three translators that rebroadcast its signal into communities in southern New Mexico.<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> The Alamogordo translator began broadcasting while the station was still KELP-TV;{{r|ElPa730213}} the Deming translator was built in the late 1970s, and the Las Cruces translator was added in 1986.<ref name="ElPa860907">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112723276/fifties-gave-birth-to-communications/|date=September 7, 1986|page=2-KVIA|title=Fifties gave birth to communications leader|newspaper=El Paso Times|location=El Paso, Texas|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 8, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108032702/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112723276/fifties-gave-birth-to-communications/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun -->

* [[Alamogordo]]: K21LR-D
* [[Deming, New Mexico|Deming]]: K31KB-D
* [[Las Cruces, New Mexico|Las Cruces]], [[Organ, New Mexico|Organ]]: K19LZ-D

==See also==
*[[Channel 17 digital TV stations in the United States]]
*[[Channel 7 virtual TV stations in the United States]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.kvia.com}}
* {{Official website|http://www.kvia.com/el-paso-las-cruces-cw}} – KVIA-DT2
* Technical information for translators: {{FCC-LMS-Facility|189260|3=K21LR-D}}, {{FCC-LMS-Facility|168555|3=K31KB-D}}, {{FCC-LMS-Facility|168556|3=K19LZ-D}}

{{El Paso TV}}
{{ABC Texas}}
{{CW Texas}}
{{Azteca América Texas}}
{{English TV Stations New Mexico}}
{{NPG}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kvia-Tv}}
[[Category:1956 establishments in Texas]]
[[Category:American Broadcasting Company affiliates]]
[[Category:Grit (TV network) affiliates]]
[[Category:Ion Plus affiliates]]
[[Category:Ion Television affiliates]]
[[Category:Laff (TV network) affiliates]]
[[Category:News-Press & Gazette Company]]
[[Category:The CW affiliates]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1956]]
[[Category:Television stations in El Paso, Texas|VIA-TV]]