History of KSLA in Timeline
KSLA is a CBS-affiliated television station located in Shreveport, Louisiana. It is owned by Gray Media, which also owns Telemundo affiliate KTSH-CD. The two stations share studio facilities in central Shreveport. KSLA's transmitter is located in rural northern Caddo Parish. As a local news provider, KSLA serves the Shreveport area with CBS programming and local content.
4 hours ago : 18-Wheeler Fire on I-49 and Shreveport Police Seek Rape Suspect
An 18-wheeler caught fire on I-49 near N. Market. Separately, Shreveport Police are searching for a man wanted for a reported rape. The suspect is considered dangerous.
June 27, 1952: Radio Station KRMD Inc. files application for channel 12 permit
On June 27, 1952, Radio Station KRMD Inc. filed an application with the FCC for a construction permit for VHF channel 12 in Shreveport.
July 10, 1952: Southland Television Co. files application for channel 12 permit
On July 10, 1952, the Southland Television Co. filed an application with the FCC for a construction permit for VHF channel 12 in Shreveport.
August 1953: Joint application submitted for channel 12 operation
In August 1953, Radio Station KRMD Inc., the Shreveport Television Co., and the Southland Television Co. submitted a joint application to the FCC to operate VHF channel 12, pending the outcome of comparative hearings on their individual applications.
August 16, 1953: KCMC-TV goes on the air
On August 16, 1953, KCMC-TV, based in Texarkana, Texas, went on the air, becoming the first television station in the Shreveport-Texarkana market.
January 1, 1954: KSLA-TV signs on the air
On January 1, 1954, KSLA-TV first signed on the air as the first station in Shreveport and the second in the market, after KCMC-TV. Channel 12 became a CBS affiliate inheriting the rights through KWKH radio's relationship with CBS Radio Network and maintained secondary affiliations with ABC, NBC and the DuMont Television Network. The station originally operated out of the Washington Youree Hotel.
June 8, 1954: FCC examiner favors Shreveport Television Company
On June 8, 1954, FCC hearing examiner Fanney N. Litvin issued an initial decision looking to grant the Shreveport Television Company the construction permit application for channel 12.
March 5, 1955: Elvis Presley's television debut on KSLA
On March 5, 1955, Elvis Presley made his television debut on KSLA on the local music program Louisiana Hayride, which was produced from the Municipal Auditorium.
May 19, 1955: FCC grants exclusive rights to Shreveport Television Company
On May 19, 1955, the FCC Broadcast Bureau granted exclusive rights to the permit to Shreveport Television Company for channel 12, formally denying KRMD and Southland Television's bids.
September 1955: DuMont ceases operations
In September 1955, the DuMont Television Network ceased operations; KSLA remained a primary CBS affiliate with secondary ABC and DuMont affiliations until the network discontinued operations.
November 17, 1955: FCC reaffirms decision on channel 12 permit
On November 17, 1955, the FCC reaffirmed its prior decision, denying the Southland petition for rehearing and reconsideration of the grant and formally dismissing the competing bids for the channel 12 permit.
November 24, 1955: KSLA activates permanent transmission facility
On November 24, 1955, KSLA activated its permanent transmission facility; the tower helped increase the station's reach to 1.089 million viewers.
August 1956: KSLA adds affiliation with NTA Film Network
In August 1956, KSLA added an additional affiliation with the NTA Film Network after the DuMont Television Network discontinued operations.
1959: KSLA broadcasts in color
In 1959, KSLA became the first television station in the Shreveport market to broadcast in color.
January 1960: Shreveport Television Company sold to KSLA-TV Inc.
In January 1960, the Shreveport Television Company sold to KSLA-TV Inc. for $3.396 million; the sale received FCC approval on May 25.
1961: Bob Griffin Joins KSLA as Sports Editor
In 1961, Bob Griffin joined KSLA as the station's sports editor. He hosted Bob & His Buddies during the 1960s.
1963: What's News Quiz Show Airs
From 1963 to 1965, Bob Griffin hosted What's News?, a current events quiz program for high schoolers, featuring questions based on KSLA's newscasts.
January 1965: Journal Publishing Company files petition against KBMT construction permit
In January 1965, the Journal Publishing Company filed a petition asking to deny a construction permit application by Television Broadcasters Inc. to build a new transmission tower for ABC affiliate KBMT in Beaumont, Texas.
1965: What's News ends
What's News, a current events quiz program for high schoolers, ended in 1965
October 29, 1966: FCC grants construction permits to KSLA and KBMT for frequency control systems
On October 29, 1966, the FCC granted construction permits to KSLA and KBMT to install precise frequency control systems to limit signal interference between the two stations.
May 1967: KSLA maintains secondary affiliation with the United Network
For one month in May 1967, KSLA maintained a secondary affiliation with the United Network (also known as the Overmyer Network) and broadcast the short-lived late night program, The Las Vegas Show.
October 1967: Nita Fran Hutcheson Hired as Reporter
In October 1967, Nita Fran Hutcheson was hired by KSLA as an assignment reporter, becoming the first female television reporter in the Shreveport–Texarkana market.
February 7, 1972: KSLA Begins Airing Sesame Street
On February 7, 1972, KSLA began broadcasting "Sesame Street" each weekday morning, taking over from KTAL. This marked KSLA's entry into children's programming through PBS.
1972: KSLA relocates to new studio facilities
In 1972, KSLA relocated its operations into its current studio facilities on Fairfield Avenue and Dashiel Street.
February 1976: Journal Publishing Company announces sale of KSLA to KSLA-TV Inc.
In February 1976, the Journal Publishing Company announced it would sell KSLA to KSLA-TV Inc. for $2.823 million; the transfer received FCC approval on May 27.
May 27, 1977: KSLA Stops Airing Sesame Street
On May 27, 1977, KSLA discontinued airing "Sesame Street" as Louisiana Public Broadcasting prepared to launch KLTS-TV, a satellite of WLPB-TV. Cable also began carrying other PBS member stations.
October 8, 1977: KSLA transmitter tower collapses
During the early morning of October 8, 1977, KSLA's 1,709-foot transmitter tower collapsed, knocking the station off the air. The cause was speculated to be a failure in a guy wire cable.
March 1978: KSLA constructs new transmitter tower
In March 1978, KSLA constructed and activated a new 1,794-foot-tall tower on the site of the former transmitter facility that collapsed in 1977.
1979: KSLA Aired PM Magazine
In 1979, KSLA started airing PM Magazine, becoming one of the first fifty television stations to broadcast the lifestyle newsmagazine.
1982: Al Bolton Receives "Seal of Certification"
In 1982, Al Bolton received the "Seal of Certification" from the National Weather Association for "performance well above the media and meteorological standards".
January 19, 1983: KSLA-TV Inc. announces sale of the station to Viacom International
On January 19, 1983, KSLA-TV Inc. announced it would sell the station to Viacom International in a tax-free stock swap valued at $29.9 million.
1983: KSLA Operates Live Satellite Truck
In 1983, KSLA became the first television station in the Shreveport–Texarkana market to operate a live satellite truck to assist in newsgathering.
1984: KSLA broadcasts in stereo
In 1984, KSLA became the first television station in the Shreveport–Texarkana market to broadcast in stereo.
1984: KSLA Cancels PM Magazine
In early 1984, KSLA canceled PM Magazine due to its local success, and replaced it with reruns of "Three's Company".
March 1989: KSLA preempts CBS Sunday Morning
In March 1989, KSLA began preempting CBS Sunday Morning with Charles Kuralt in favor of running religious programming and infomercials, sparking viewer outrage.
August 27, 1989: KSLA reinstates CBS Sunday Morning
On August 27, 1989, KSLA reinstated CBS Sunday Morning onto its schedule following viewer complaints about its preemption.
May 1991: Al Bolton Leaves KSLA
In May 1991, Al Bolton, KSLA's first meteorologist, left the station after a long tenure to join KRMD radio for ten years before retiring.
1994: KSLA Affiliates with Raycom Sports
In 1994, KSLA became a charter outlet of Raycom Sports, a syndication service that broadcasts college sports games.
1994: KSLA comes under common ownership with Paramount Stations Group
In 1994, KSLA came under common ownership with Paramount's broadcasting arm, the Paramount Stations Group, following Viacom's acquisition of Paramount Pictures.
January 16, 1995: UPN launches with KSLA as a charter owned-and-operated station
On January 16, 1995, the United Paramount Network (UPN) started operating with channel 12 as a charter owned-and-operated station, carrying UPN's Monday and Tuesday prime time programming between 11:35 p.m. and 1:35 a.m. on both nights.
May 12, 1995: Viacom Announces Sale of KSLA to Hillside Broadcasting
On May 12, 1995, Viacom announced the sale of KSLA to Hillside Broadcasting for $30 million. This sale was part of Viacom's plan to divest its non-UPN affiliated stations and comply with FCC ownership rules.
August 22, 1995: KSHV-TV takes over as UPN affiliate
On August 22, 1995, KSHV-TV took over as the UPN affiliate for the Shreveport–Texarkana market, ending KSLA's arrangement.
September 1, 1995: Ellis Communications Acquires KSLA
On September 1, 1995, Ellis Communications completed the acquisition of KSLA for $30 million. The transaction had been approved by the FCC on August 24, eight days earlier.
May 16, 1996: Ellis Communications to Sell to Ellis Acquisitions Inc.
On May 16, 1996, Ellis Communications announced it would sell its fifteen television and two radio stations and sports production/syndication firm Raycom Sports to Ellis Acquisitions Inc. in an all-cash deal worth $732 million.
July 26, 1996: FCC Approves Purchase of KSLA and Ellis Stations
On July 26, 1996, the FCC approved the purchase of KSLA and other Ellis stations by Ellis Acquisitions Inc., paving the way for the creation of Raycom Media.
2001: KSLA Broadcasts NFL Preseason Games
Since 2001, KSLA has held the local broadcast rights to NFL preseason games from the New Orleans Saints, typically airing three to five prime time games annually.
September 2008: KSLA airs weekday morning newscast
In September 2008, KSLA became the first television station in Louisiana to air a weekday morning newscast at 9 a.m.
June 12, 2009: KSLA Discontinues Analog Signal
On June 12, 2009, KSLA discontinued regular programming on its analog signal as part of the federal mandate for the transition to digital broadcasts. The station's digital signal remained on UHF channel 17.
2009: KSLA ends affiliation with Raycom Sports
In 2009, KSLA ended its affiliation with Raycom Sports.
September 2010: KSLA expands newscasts
In September 2010, KSLA expanded its weeknight 6 p.m. newscast to one hour and expanded the weekend edition of its 10 p.m. newscast to one hour.
October 15, 2010: KSLA Broadcasts Newscasts in High Definition
On October 15, 2010, KSLA became the second television station in the Shreveport–Texarkana market to begin broadcasting its local newscasts in high definition.
September 7, 2016: KSLA Launches 4 PM Newscast
On September 7, 2016, KSLA launched a half-hour newscast at 4 p.m. on weekday afternoons.
June 25, 2018: Gray Television Announces Merger with Raycom
On June 25, 2018, Gray Television announced an agreement to merge with Raycom, the parent company of KSLA, in a cash-and-stock deal valued at $3.6 billion. This merger would bring KSLA under Gray's corporate umbrella.
September 2018: KSLA Newscast Hours
As of September 2018, KSLA broadcasts 33 hours of locally produced newscasts each week. KSLA-DT3 broadcasts eight hours of locally produced newscasts each week.
January 2, 2019: Gray Television Merger with Raycom Completed
On January 2, 2019, the merger between Gray Television and Raycom was completed, officially bringing KSLA and other Raycom stations under Gray's ownership after approval on December 20, 2018.
2019: KSLA Wins National Murrow Award
In 2019, KSLA was awarded a national Murrow Award for excellence in multimedia.
December 30, 2023: Gray Television Announces Agreement to Air Pelicans Games on KSLA
On December 30, 2023, KSLA parent company Gray Television announced it had reached an agreement with the New Orleans Pelicans to air 10 games on the station during the 2023–24 season.
2023: KTEV-CD and K14NR-D became translators of KSLA
By 2023, KTEV-CD and K14NR-D became translators of KSLA for the northern and western parts of the Shreveport market, respectively.
September 17, 2024: Gray and Pelicans Announce Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network
On September 17, 2024, Gray and the Pelicans announced a deal to form the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network, broadcasting nearly all 2024–25 Pelicans games on Gray's stations in the Gulf South, including KSLA.
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