KMTY

KMTY (Digital: 25, Virtual: 15) is a television station affiliated with Horizon Television, licensed to Lubbock, Texas, United States. It is owned and operated by Gray Television.
== History ==
=== As an independent station (1982-2022) ===
KMTY was founded by local businessman and media mogul John T. Myers, who also owned several radio stations and newspapers in the Lubbock area. Myers applied for a construction permit for a new independent television station on channel 25 in 1981 and received the license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on October 15, 1982. The station began broadcasting on November 11, 1982, with the call letters KMTY, derived from Myers' initials. The station's original slogan was "The Mighty 25", reflecting its ambition to compete with the established network affiliates in the market.
KMTY initially offered a general entertainment format, featuring a mix of syndicated programs, movies, cartoons, sports, and local shows. The station also produced its own newscasts, which debuted on January 3, 1983, under the title "25 News". The newscasts aired at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. on weekdays, and at 10 p.m. on weekends.
KMTY quickly gained a loyal following among viewers who appreciated its alternative programming and local focus. The station also benefited from the growth of cable and satellite television, which increased its reach and availability. By the late 1980s, KMTY was the second-most watched station in the Lubbock market, behind only ABC affiliate KLUB (channel 8).
In 1990, Myers sold KMTY to Gray Television, a media company based in Atlanta, Georgia, that owned several television and radio stations across the country. Gray retained the station's independent status and continued to invest in its programming and facilities. In 1994, KMTY moved to a new state-of-the-art studio on South University Avenue, which it built on its own. The station also upgraded its news department, hiring more reporters and expanding its coverage of local and regional issues. The newscasts were rebranded as "KMTY News", and the station adopted a new logo and slogan, "The Independent Choice".
In 1995, KMTY became the first station in Lubbock to broadcast in digital format, launching its digital signal on UHF channel 15. The station also began to offer some of its programming in high definition, becoming the first station in the market to do so in 1998.
=== As an Horizon affiliate (2022-present) ===
In 2022, KMTY signed an affiliation agreement with Horizon Television, a new national network that was launched by entrepreneurs. Horizon Television aimed to provide original programming, targeting a younger and more diverse audience than the traditional networks. KMTY became the Horizon Television affiliate for the Lubbock market on January 1, 2022, ending its 39-year run as an independent station. The station's newscasts retained the name "KMTY News", and the station adopted a new logo and name, "Horizon 25".
KMTY has remained a Horizon Television affiliate ever since and has continued to be a strong performer in the ratings and the community. KMTY celebrated its 40th anniversary on the air in 2022, with a special retrospective program and a series of segments and promotions.
Category:Horizon network affiliates
Category:Channel 25
Category:Lubbock, Texas
Category:Former independent stations
Category:Television channels and stations established in 1982