KYTX

KYTX, virtual channel 19, is a television station based in Tyler, Texas, licensed to Nacogdoches. It operates on digital UHF 18. The CBSaffiliate, owned by London Broadcasting Company, serves a swath of East Texas, including Tyler, Jacksonville, Lufkin and Nacogdoches. It is the sister station of CW affiliate, KCEB. It was the first East Texas station to broadcast programming, and most recently, local news inhigh-definition. KYTX's main offices and studio are located on Tyler's southeast side, inside a former four-screen movie theater. Syndicatedprogramming on KYTX includes: Judge Judy, The Dr. Oz Show, and The 700 Club.

History
KLSB began broadcasting in 1991 as a low-powered NBC affiliate. It was the satellite station for Tyler/Longview's NBC affiliate, KETK. Max Media purchased the station in 2003, relocating its offices to Tyler, signed an affiliation agreement with CBS, and applied for the new call letters. On April 12, 2004, KYTX signed on from the KLSB tower and the following day was officially granted the KYTX call sign by the FCC. The station began broadcasting from its new tower south of New Summerfield on June 13, 2004.

The move returned over-the-air CBS programming to East Texas for the first time since 1991, when Longview's KLMG-TV switched to Foxas KFXK, and only the third CBS affiliate (KTVE (channel 32) was the first in 1953 until its demise in 1955) to call Longview home. For the 13 years prior, cable systems in the area piped in either KTVT in Dallas or KSLA in Shreveport, Louisiana with most cable systems in East Texas still piping the latter.

KLSB moved to a low-powered transmitter broadcasting on channel 53 (now KETK-LP) which, technically, made KYTX a new station. For its first few months, KYTX simulcast KTVT's evening news while building its own local news department.

During the week of April 17, 2010, a new station logo (see above, top right) began appearing during KYTX's newscasts, as well as on KYTX's website.On October 18, 2007 the Longview News-Journal and the Tyler Morning Telegraph reported that the station had been sold for $25 million to Terry London and Sun TX Capital Partners through London Broadcasting Company, Inc. Terry London is a former CEO of Gaylord Entertainment Company. KYTX-TV CBS 19 and MYTX-18 became the platform properties for London Broadcasting Company. The stations were previously owned by Max Media of Texas LLC. [1] [2] It is also notable that Phil Hurley, the station's first General Manager, is now Chief Operating Officer at the company.

Digital television
In 2004, KYTX was the first station in the Tyler-Longview market to transmit with a full power digital signal, and the first to offer HD programming. KYTX-DT went on the air in HD on UHF channel 18 (19.1) on June 12, 2004 from the new tower in Ponta, Texas. On January 1, 2006, sub-channel 19.2 was added, and UPN programming was moved from KCEB to the new UPN18. 19.2 currently airs independent MYTX.

In 2009, KYTX added Azteca América programming to channel 18.3 / 19.3, becoming the first Spanish-language television channel for the East Texas market. [3]

Despite the extension of the DTV transition deadline, KYTX joined hundreds of other stations across the country in shutting down its analog station on the original deadline of February 17, 2009. Stations nationwide stated that they had targeted this date for over two years and that broadcasting both their digital and analog signals for four extra months would cost them too much money. At 11:59 p.m. on February 17, KYTX ended its analog signal and began nightlight service on analog channel 19, advising viewers that it has ceased its analog service and advising viewers of their options.

KLTV, KETK, and KFXK did not start full power digital broadcasting until 2006. CW affiliate, KCEB channel 54 still has yet to go high or low power digital.

My Texas TV
On January 1, 2006, KYTX assumed the UPN affiliation from KCEB and began carrying the UPN network signal for the Tyler/Longview market as a subchannel on channel 18.2 / 19.2 of its DTV signal.

After UPN and The WB announced their merger in January 2006, KCEB was awarded affiliation for the new CW network.

In September 2006, UPN 18 became "MYTX: My Texas TV", not to be confused with MyNetworkTV. This station launched as being an independent station for Sports, Comedy, and Entertainment. The schedule currently consists of simulcasts of its newscasts, along with the CBS programs The Price Is Right and The Young and the Restless. In addition, the reruns carried prior to the switch have been shuffled around on the schedule. This subchannel has since added programming from the Retro Television Network (RTV).

Anchorwoman reality show
KYTX pitched a new reality show, Anchorwoman: The TV Show, with a former international model coming to town to anchor the news in the Spring of 2007. Billboards posted in the East Texas community caused quite a controversy. The boards showed Lauren Jones in a provocative pose and two words, "She's coming" written on them. Many news outlets including Fox News and Good Morning America did stories on the filming of the reality show.

<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em;">The comedy show wrapped up filming in late June 2007. During taping, KYTX removed the CBS eye from its logo and all instances of CBS identification from its signage and equipment, as the program aired on a competing network, Fox. The CBS eye returned to the logo after taping was wrapped.

<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em;">The first two episodes aired back-to-back on August 22, 2007 on Fox. The network canceled the show the next day after the debut airing garnered a disappointing 2.0 household rating (1.0 in the 18 to 49 year old demographic). In the market, KYTX's competitor, KFXK, aired the program as scheduled on Fox. However, it did not sell any local ad time, opting to use this time to promote the newscasts on KFXK's sister station, KETK-TV (channel 56), as at the time, KFXK had no newscast of its own.

News operation
<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em;">On September 12, 2004, KYTX launched its news operation, originally titled CBS 19 Eyewitness News. The station started with weekday newscasts at 6 a.m., 6 p.m. and 10 p.m., and a weekend newscast at 10 p.m.; the "'Eye @ 5'" 5 p.m. newscast was added in 2005. KYTX later launched a 6:30 p.m. newscast: CBS 19 Eyewitness News: Longview/Kilgore Edition; the newscast is similar to a previously attempted Longview-centered newscast on KFXK Fox 51.

<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em;">In 2007, the 5 p.m. newscast was reformatted as "'Primetime at 5'". The 10 p.m. newscast was renamed "'Ten @ 10'" in January 2008, focusing on faster delivery of news and weather in the first 10 minutes. In 2008, "'CBS 19 Sunday Morning'" was added to the line-up.

<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em;">In 2009, KYTX renamed all newscasts, dropping the Eyewitness News brand in favor of KYTX CBS 19 News, closer matching its competitors, KLTV (channel 7) and KETK (channel 56). On April 23, 2009, KYTX-TV CBS 19 became the first station in the market to broadcast its local newscasts in high definition, beginning with CBS 19 News This Morning. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-3" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[4]

Stormy, the Weather Dog
<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em;">Stormy, a dog adopted from the Humane Society of Smith County in late 2005, served as the station's de facto mascot, "assisting" former Chief Meteorologist Doc Deason with his weekday weather forecasts. The idea was inspired by a similar mascot at Houston station KPRC-TV. Viewers named the dog in a poll, and Stormy made his first appearance on November 3, 2005. Sales of "Stormy's Dog-gone Goodwill Dog Cookies" featuring the dog benefit area humane societies and Goodwill Industries chapters. Stormy no longer appears on the newscast.

Newscast titles

 * CBS 19 Eyewitness News (2004-2008; general slogan)


 * Eye @ 5 (2004-2007; 5 p.m. newscast)
 * Primetime at 5 (2007-2010; 5 p.m. newscast)


 * KYTX CBS 19 News (2008-present; general slogan)


 * Ten @ 10 (2008-present; 10 p.m. newscast)

Station slogans

 * The EYE of East Texas (2004-2008; variation of slogan used by KTVT in Dallas)
 * Your Local News Leader (2005-present)

Current on-air staff
<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em;">(as of January 2011) Anchors


 * Anthony Austin - weekends at 10 p.m.; also weeknight reporter
 * Bryan Houston - weekday mornings "CBS 19 This Morning" and weeknights at 5 p.m.
 * Chuck McDonald - weeknights at 6 and 10 p.m.
 * Michele Reese - weekdays at 5 p.m.; also reporter
 * Gillian Sheridan - weeknights at 6 and 10 p.m.
 * Dana Hughey - weekday mornings "CBS 19 This Morning"
 * Hayley Wielgus - weekends at 10 p.m. & Sunday mornings; also reporter

<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em;">Weather Team


 * John Adams (AMS Seal of Approval) - Chief Meteorologist; weeknights at 6 and 10 p.m.
 * Albert Bruhn - Meteorologist; Sunday mornings and weekends at 10 p.m.
 * Doc Deason - Meteorologist; weeknights at 5 p.m.
 * Scott Fossey - Meteorologist; weekday mornings "CBS 19 This Morning"

<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em;">Sports Team


 * Eric Sullivan - Sports Director; weeknights at 6 and 10 p.m.
 * Julia Morales - Sports Anchor; weekends at 10 p.m., also sports reporter

<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em;">Reporters


 * Monique Bird - Longview Bureau reporter
 * Field Sutton - Reporter
 * Jennifer Heathcock - Nightside reporter
 * Amanda Roberson- Reporter

Former on-air staff

 * Amanda Kost- (2007-2010) Currently at KMGH in Denver, CO.
 * Lynne Sullivant (2007-2009) Currently at Carter Eye Center in Dallas
 * Julie Adams (2006-2007)
 * David Allgood (2004-2005)
 * Mike Alzamora
 * Keri Bellacosa (2004-2007, currently at KTBC in Austin)
 * Clay Falls (2006-2008, currently at KBTX in Bryan-College Station, TX)
 * Roger Gray (2007-2009) currently at KETK-TV in Tyler,Texas
 * ShaVonne Herndon (2008-2010, currently at [1] in Shreveport,LA)
 * Judy Jordan (2005-2007)
 * Mechelle Jordan (2006-2008)
 * Brian Joyce (2004-2006, currently at London Broadcasting in Dallas.
 * Randy Lynn (2006-2009)
 * Emily Murray (2007)
 * Annalisa Petralia (2004-2008)Currently at News 12 the Bronx.
 * Vickie Pierre (2004-2007, currently at WJXT in Jacksonville, Florida)
 * Jane Slater (2005-2006, currently at KTVT in Dallas.
 * Lisa Spooner (2005-2010) Now at WFTX, Ft. Myers, FL
 * AJ Smith (2004-2005, currently at KOAT in Albuquerque)
 * Kelli Wiese (2004-2006)
 * Scott Williams (2004-2006, currently at The Weather Channel)
 * Tyler Wing (2005-2006, currently at KVOA in Tucson)