Classic County Kicks Star Out of Waco

[Deleted member 108832]

I think Tyler-Longview is also kind of confusing because so few stations really cover the whole market and so many have been involved with some kind of simulcast over the years.

At least I've been here to see the changes firsthand so, for me, it's a little easier to keep it all straightened out. Besides, it's really rather rare for the dial to change much over here. The last one was Chuck Conrad bringing K-DOK back to 1490 in February 2022. Prior to that, The Well debuted on 94.3 and 95.3 in 2020. If'n you ever find yourself lost and disoriented in the world of Tyler-Longview radio, I'm there for you, bud.

Waco and Killeen-Temple are technically separate radio markets, even though in some aspects they function closely together (partly due, I think, to being in the same TV market).

Tyler and Longview were combined many years ago on the radio side. The kicker (no pun intended) is that we are also combined with Lufkin-Nacogdoches on the television side. Do you know how frustrating that can be to kick on your television for a little prime time action, only to find KLTV's Mark Scirto or KETK's Cody Gottschalk in wall to wall weather coverage for a storm in Trinity? Or Livingston?

 

[Ryan Williams]

Tyler and Longview were combined many years ago on the radio side. The kicker (no pun intended) is that we are also combined with Lufkin-Nacogdoches on the television side. Do you know how frustrating that can be to kick on your television for a little prime time action, only to find KLTV's Mark Scirto or KETK's Cody Gottschalk in wall to wall weather coverage for a storm in Trinity? Or Livingston?

That's a crazy market that doesn't really make sense. KTRE, for example, isn't receivable OTA in Smith or Gregg counties, right?

The Waco market also is ridiculous....

In TV, Waco is actually Waco-Temple-Bryan. Why people in San Saba and College Station are both in the same "local" market I don't know.

Waco and Killeen-Temple have the same network affiliates and see the same news/local channels. The TV towers are between the two population centers. However, even though they are technically in the same market with Bryan/College Station, BCS has satellite stations (KBTX notwithstanding) of each main station with different branding, websites, personnel, etc.

 

[Deleted member 108832]

That's a crazy market that doesn't really make sense. KTRE isn't receivable OTA in Smith or Gregg counties, right?

That's right. Not even on cable. KTRE is the satellite for KLTV, and has been since Lucille Buford bought KTRE many, many years ago. Same programming, except for Sunday morning church services, and KTRE has its own newscasts. Most of the time.

The Waco market also is ridiculous....

In TV, Waco is actually Waco-Temple-Bryan. Why people in San Saba and College Station are both in the same "local" market I don't know.

I knew about that, because of the KWKT/KYLE connection, but yeah, that's a heck of a spread. Very comparable to what we've got here.

Waco and Killeen-Temple have the same network affiliates and see the same news/local channels. However, even though they are technically in the same market with Bryan/College Station, the latter has satellite stations (KBTX notwithstanding) of each main station with different branding, websites, personnel, etc.

Pretty much the same here. I've already mentioned KLTV's association with KTRE. KETK (56), our NBC station, covers both Tyler-Longview and Lufkin-Nacogdoches from its tower in Mt. Selman. It once had a satellite in Nacogdoches but, after an upgrade, that's now our CBS affiliate for both areas, KYTX (19). KFXK (51) is our Fox affiliate, was previously our CBS affiliate, and has a Lufkin repeater called KFXL. Straight simulcast of the primary KFXK. CW airs on 19.2, after abandoning KCEB (54) when that station was sold a couple of years back. We have no PBS here, unless you have cable or a whopper of an outdoor antenna. I have a whopper called a Channel Master, so I can and do receive KERA OTA, but most Tylerites don't.

 

[HTX]

Actually, it's the KWBT HD-2 that is silent. It has been CBS Sports Radio since it launched a few years ago.

KBHT HD-2 is Cool 101.3 and is on the air, KBHT HD-3 is 93.9 "Fox Sports Central Texas", and KBHT HD-4 is 107.3 "La Mejor", although currently there isn't any audio even though the translator is still broadcasting.

Do you know what KWPW HD3 is? They were silent the last time I had an appointment with Dr. Pepper

 

[Ryan Williams]

Do you know what KWPW HD3 is? They were silent the last time I had an appointment with Dr. Pepper

KWPW's HD seems to be completely off. HD-2 should feed K228FK in Waco "Latino 93.5 and 99.1", which is a simulcast of KLTO Moody (serving Killeen-Temple). Probably a temporary equipment issue.

I don't recall any additional programming previously on HD-3, but I think the channel was present at one point, just silent.

KWBT 94.5 HD-2 (CBS Sports Radio) is still off. This might have been off for a long time. Website is still up but the streaming is also down.

KBHT 104.9 HD-4 is still without programming. Translator "La Mejor" 107.3 is still on the air. This is pretty recent though and probably also an equipment issue.

KWBU 103.3 is licensed for HD but it has been turned off for several years

HD Radio in Waco is kind of a wasteland and like many places is primarily a means to satisfy the translator primary station requirement.

 

[Mediafrog+]

The Waco market also is ridiculous....

Especially when you consider the history of PBS stations in the market—KNCT, KCTF, KWBU, KDYW, and throw in a bit of KAMU, along with importing KERA and KLRU on various cable systems.

Has KNCT-TV gained traction since the sale to Gray (KWTX) a few years ago? I know the duopoly now shares the same tower. Rather surprised Central Texas College didn’t insist on a call change as part of the deal (although KNCT-TV had been PBS, it was on a channel allocated for commercial operation.) CTC still owns KNCT-FM.

 

[Ryan Williams]

Especially when you consider the history of PBS stations in the market—KNCT, KCTF, KWBU, KDYW, and throw in a bit of KAMU, along with importing KERA and KLRU on various cable systems.

That's right. KAMU has a very, very small signal. Despite being the local PBS station, almost everywhere in the tv market outside of Brazos County is going to get a more likely ota signal from KERA and KLRU.

Has KNCT-TV gained traction since the sale to Gray (KWTX) a few years ago?

The KNCT signal is orders of magnitude weaker than KWTX even with a UHF antenna. I'm not really sure if it has gained any traction. It did allow them to add more sub channels.

 

[HTX]

HD Radio in Waco is kind of a wasteland and like many places is primarily a means to satisfy the translator primary station requirement.

Thanks! And I noticed that. Only 95.7 had any kind of text and 104.9 had their name as “HD -FM” with HD1 having a PTY of News which seemed weird. At least there’s more variety than Lufkin and the entire Tyler/Longview area with just 1 HD that’s Red River Radio. KLDN and KTYK.