KJTV-TV is the Fox affiliated television station serving Lubbock, Texas, owned by Ramar Communications. KJTV was a charter station for its network, having broadcast the network since its launch on October 9, 1986. It broadcasts on UHF digital channel 35. The station also operates a low-powered sister station on channel 32, KJTV-CA, an affiliate of The Local AccuWeather Channel, which is simulcast on KJTV's digital 34.2 subchannel. The station's studios also house MyNetworkTV affiliate KMYL-LP, The CW affiliate KLCW-TV, Telemundo affiliateKXTQ-CA, and four radio stations (1 on AM and 3 on FM). KJTV's transmissions emanate from a 950-foot (290 m) tower with an effective radiated power of 1 million watts for its digital signal. Syndicated programming on KJTV includes: Two and a Half Men, Friends, Ellen,Degrassi: The Next Generation, Seinfeld, and AgDay.
| |
| Lubbock, Texas | |
|---|---|
| Branding | Fox 34 (general)
Fox 34 News (news) |
| Slogan | It's News at Nine. At ten, it's history. |
| Channels | Digital: 35 (UHF) |
| Subchannels | 34.1 Fox TV
34.2 AccuWX 34.3 independent |
| Affiliations | Fox |
| Owner | Ramar Communications II, Ltd. |
| First air date | December 10, 1981 |
| Sister station(s) | KUPT |
| Former callsigns | KJAA (1981-1985)
KJTV (1985-2000) |
| Former channel number(s) | Analog:
34 (UHF, 1981-2009) |
| Former affiliations | independent (1981-1986) |
| Transmitter power | 1000 kW |
| Height | 273.9 m |
| Facility ID | 55031 |
| Transmitter coordinates | 33°30′8.7″N101°52′21.5″W |
| Website | www.myfoxlubbock.com |
KJTV's broadcasts are digital-only, effective February 17, 2009.[1]
History[]
Channel 34 first appeared in 1967 as KKBC-TV (owned by the KB Company (Chester and Clarance Kissell), operating from a control room and transmitter at the tallest downtown building. It had approximately 25 kilowatts of visual power from an antenna about 320 feet (98 m) above average terrain. The station signed on with a few films, some network programs declined by KCBD and KLBK-TV, and The Mike Douglas Show. Local engineer Alvie Ivey built the facility from used equipment gathered from stations in the region.
Soon after channel 34 signed on, a station on channel 28 signed on with much better facilities. KSEL-TV (now KAMC) had 2 megawatts of power, an 875-foot (267 m) tower located in south Lubbock near other station's towers, and had support from sister stations KSEL-AM 950 (now KJTV-AM) and KSEL-FM 93.7 (now KXTQ-FM) (both of which, ironically, are today sister stations to KJTV-TV). This provided the impetus to move KKBC to a taller location with greater power.
New owners took over channel 34 and a taller tower was built at 98th and University Avenue. Local station KWGO-FM (now KQBR) rented a spot on the tower as it was going up. The improved KKBC-TV developed a power of more than 4 megawatts. However, KSEL still had the lead, as it obtained a full-time ABC affiliation, while channel 34 affiliated with Spanish International Network (by bicycled tapes) and changed calls to KMXN-TV. The station continued until sometime in 1973. Legend has it that the board of directors met at the station, assessed their shaky financial footing, and ordered the station shut down on the way out. The film on the air was interrupted, and the station signed off. The license was then returned to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
The tower and land was later acquired by Ramar for use by a radio station the company was starting, KTEZ (now KONE). After a few years' operation, Ramar decided to file for a new channel 34 license using the old tower, feed line, and antenna. That was granted around 1980-81, and on March 15, 1981 KJAA was launched as an independent station. On August 16, 1985, the station became KJTV, and in 1986, it switched to Fox as one of its charter stations. On October 2, 2000, KJTV added a -TV suffix to its call letters.
News operation[]
In 2000, KJTV launched a local newscast at 9 p.m. using a virtual set (which is also used for news on KXTQ-CA).
On October 1, 2008. KJTV launched a morning newscast "Good Day Lubbock" from 6 a.m.-9 a.m. Monday through Fridays. KJTV recently discontinued its virtual set.
On-air staff[]
Current on-air staff[]
[1] This film, television or video-related list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it with reliably sourced additions.====News anchors====
| Name: | Present Position(s): | Previous Position(s): | Joined KJTV On: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melinda Alvarado | Weekday Evening Anchor | KHSL | September 5, 2006 |
| Jaime Gerik | Good Day Lubbock anchor | September, 2008 | |
| James Eppler | Good Day Lubbock anchor, entertainment editor, and managing editor | October, 2007 | |
| Jeff Klotzman | Weekday evening anchor, news director | KAMC; WKOW; KXAN;KGTV; KNXV |
News reporters and part-time news anchors[]
| Name: | Present Position(s): | Previous Position(s): | Joined KJTV On: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kensey Henderson | Multimedia Journalist | April, 2010 | |
| Nicole Garza | general assignment reporter | July, 2010 |
Fox 34 AccuWeather Team[]
In addition to providing forecasts on KJTV-TV, the Fox 34 AccuWeather Team also provides forecasts for Fox 34 AccuWeather Channel on KJTV-DT 34.2 and digital cable, KJTV (AM),KXTQ-FM, KLZK and KTTU-FM radio.
| Name: | Present Position(s): | Previous Position(s): | Joined KJTV On: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laura Thomas | (NWA Member) - Chief Meteorologist; weeknights at 9 p.m. | August, 2006 | |
| Matt Ernst | Meteorologist; weekday mornings "Good Day Lubbock" | September, 2006 |
| Chase Thomason | Meteorologist; Weekends |
Sports team[]
| Name: | Present Position(s): | Previous Position(s): | Joined KJTV On: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Giovannetti | Sports Director; weeknights at 9 p.m. | ||
| Chase Williams | Sports Anchor; weekends at 9 p.m. | August 2009 |
Former on-air staff[]
- Bryan Hughes - Chief Meteorologist (now at WEYI-TV in Saginaw, MI)
- Christal Bennett- Good Day Lubbock anchor, managing editor
- Lindsey Ashcraft - Reporter
News/station presentation[]
Newscast titles[]
- Fox 34 News (2000-present)
Station slogans[]
- It's News at Nine. At Ten, It's History. (2000-present)