KKWB

**KKWB** (channel 48) is a television station licensed to Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States, broadcasting the ACME and RKO networks to the El Paso, Texas area. Owned and operated by the ACME Television Stations Group, the station has studios on Camino Real Avenue in El Paso, and its transmitter is located atop the Franklin Mountains on the El Paso city limits.

## History

### KZRJ-TV

On November 18, 1984, the station aired under the name KZRJ-TV. At that time, it was one of the few independent English-language channels. KZRJ-FM (103.1) came before the TV station and served as its precursor.

### KAJB

In October of 1987, Bayport Communications purchased KZRJ-TV, which resulted in the station being taken off the air. It was decided that Bayport should be allowed to move the tower to a new location close to Anthony, New Mexico, and raise the power output from 74,000 to a maximum of 5 million watts. After being purchased, Channel 48 reemerged on the 13th of June, 1990, as KAJB. In 1991, the channel was integrated into the cable infrastructure that serves El Paso. Following the failure of a separate transaction for $900,000 the previous year, Lee Enterprises eventually purchased the station in 1993 for $440,000. When the United Paramount Network (UPN) first aired on January 16, 1995, the station immediately became one of the network's charter affiliates.

### Change to DBC

In 1997, the station's calls were changed to KLZY, and it became DBC's primary affiliate in the El Paso area after entering into an affiliation agreement with the network in September 1999. The station's programming roster was significantly improved due to the acquisition of DBC programming, which also raised the station's visibility among local viewers. The most watched programs on DBC were broadcast on KKWB, including comedies, dramas, news, and sports. The expansion of KLZY's coverage of local news was made possible by its association with DBC. The station began operations in its newly established news department by recruiting a group of seasoned journalists and reporters.

In 2001, the station's call letters were changed to KSZP. As a result of its relationship with the DBC, KSZP evolved into a venue where local artists could exhibit their talents. The channel broadcast shows that showcase the neighborhood's diverse cultural practices and artistic abilities. KSZP provides a platform for local musicians, entertainers, chefs, and personalities to share their skills with the local public.

### Loss of DBC Affiliation

The connection between KSZP and DBC terminated on January 1, 2016. The parent company of KSZP, MediaCorp, decided to sever ties with the network. Several factors led to the dissolution of the DBC affiliation and the selection of a new partnership. MediaCorp determined not to renew the DBC affiliation agreement. Numerous factors, including financial considerations, changes in programming strategies, and potential opportunities with a different network, are likely to have influenced this decision. The broadcasting industry has become more competitive, with networks vying for the finest affiliates in each location. MediaCorp may have changed KSZP's network affiliation after receiving a more attractive offer from another network. In some instances, a station's affiliation status may be influenced by its performance regarding viewer ratings. If a station consistently struggles to attain high ratings and falls short of network objectives, the network may seek out a more prospective affiliate. Networks routinely evaluate their target audiences and programming strategies. If a station's programming schedule does not reflect its mission or target audience, it may influence a network's decision to change affiliations. This partnership loss placed KSZP in a precarious position and necessitated a brief period of independence.

While it was still an independent station, KSZP was required to fill its programming schedule with syndication shows and news from the local area. During this period, the station had a difficult time, battling an uphill battle to sustain its advertising revenue and attract people to its programming. On the other hand, in June 2016, KSZP successfully negotiated a fresh affiliation arrangement with the ACME network. Because of this affiliation deal, KSZP expanded its viewership and, as a result, its advertising revenue, which resulted in a considerable boost for the station. The station strengthened its stability and found a clear course for the future once it was acquired by the Dorado Media Group in 2017. This transaction took place in 2017, resulting in the station becoming a sister station to KESL-TV, which gave it access to additional resources. The station's calls were changed to KKWB to improve the network’s relationship with co-owner Warner Bros.

ACME Media's ACME Television Stations Group announced on August 22, 2022, that it would transfer the license of Dorado's ACME-owned television stations, including KKWB.

## Technical information

### Subchannels

The station's digital signal is multiplexed:

 **48.2** | 720p
 **48.3** | 480i
 **48.4** | Charge!
 **48.5** | Stadium

### Analog-to-digital conversion

KKWB deactivated its analog signal on UHF channel 48 on June 12, 2009, the federally mandated date for the transition from analog to digital broadcasts by full-power television stations in the United States. The station's digital signal remained on UHF channel 47 before the change. Digital television receivers display the station's virtual channel as its former analog UHF channel 48 via PSIP.

### Former translator

KKWB's primary analog signal was also broadcast in El Paso proper via low-power translator KKWB-LP on channel 48, primarily to enable viewers in El Paso and the Mexican side of the market to continue receiving the station over the air. The license for KKWB-LP was returned to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on November 30, 2018, following the completion of the transfer to the Dorado Media Group and Mexico's digital transition, and it was canceled on December 21, 2018.