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KAIT

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(Redirected from KIAT-LD)
For the telescope known as KAIT, see Katzman Automatic Imaging Telescope. For the village on New Ireland, see Kait, Papua New Guinea.

KAIT
Channels
Branding
  • KAIT; K8; K8 News
  • CW K8 (8.3)
Programming
Affiliations
Ownership
Owner
KJTB-LD, KJBW-LD
History
First air date
July 15, 1963 (61 years ago) (1963-07-15)
Former call signs
KAIT-TV (1963–2003)
Former channel number(s)
  • Analog: 8 (VHF, 1963–2009)
  • Digital: 9 (VHF, 2001–2009), 8 (VHF, 2009–2021)
Independent (1963–1965)
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID13988
ERP1,000 kW
HAAT527.4 m (1,730 ft)[2]
Transmitter coordinates35°53′22″N 90°56′8″W / 35.88944°N 90.93556°W / 35.88944; -90.93556
Links
Public license information
Websitewww.kait8.com

KAIT (channel 8) is a television station in Jonesboro, Arkansas, United States, affiliated with ABC, NBC, and The CW Plus. It is owned by Gray Media alongside Telemundo affiliate KJTB-LD (channel 36) and KJBW-LD (channel 35). The three stations share studios on New Haven Church Road (County Road 766) north of Jonesboro; KAIT's transmitter is located in Egypt, Arkansas.

KAIT began broadcasting in 1963 as an independent station before becoming an ABC affiliate in 1965. It was built by George Hernreich, a Fort Smith businessman. Hernreich paid bribes to an ABC representative in 1969, resulting in a years-long legal challenge that almost saw KAIT lose its broadcast license. After the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reversed an earlier decision to revoke the KAIT license, the station was sold to Channel Communications in 1984, Cosmos Broadcasting in 1986, and Raycom Media in 2005. Under Raycom, KAIT added subchannels affiliated with NBC and The CW. Raycom merged with Gray Television in 2019. The station has traditionally dominated the Jonesboro media market in revenue and ratings, though its coverage area and viewership extends beyond the defined media market.

History

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Construction and early years

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Though channel 8 was assigned to Jonesboro in 1952, it went unused for a decade. Jonesboro radio station KBTM applied for channel 8 in 1954[3] and was granted a construction permit for KBTM-TV in 1955,[4] only to seek to transfer it the next year to the owner of KATV in Pine Bluff.[5] KATV intended to use KBTM-TV to broadcast its ABC and other programming as well as local news and other programming, which would be produced by KBTM radio staff.[6] Construction never started, and the permit was surrendered in late October 1957.[7] The surrender followed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issuing a letter to the station asking why it should not have its permit stripped.[8]

Radio station KXJK in Forrest City, Arkansas, asked the FCC in May 1958 to move channel 8 there. The proposal was rebutted by George Hernreich, a Fort Smith businessman, who declared his intention to apply for channel 8 at Jonesboro.[9] The FCC denied the KXJK move request in February 1959[10] and granted Hernreich's application for channel 8 on April 8, 1960,[11] after KBTM (by this time under new ownership) withdrew a competing application.[12]

Construction of KAIT-TV began in early 1963 at a site 4 miles (6.4 km) north of Jonesboro.[13] During erection of the 300-foot (91 m) tower, the large antenna crashed to the ground.[14] After weeks of test patterns and sporadic other broadcasts,[15] KAIT-TV began regular programming on July 15, 1963. It was an independent station reliant on movies for most of its programming, airing local features including news and a children's show.[16]

ABC affiliation and FCC hearing

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The station joined ABC on October 1, 1965, enabling the station to present color network programming and lengthening its broadcast day.[17] Network affiliation provided resources that KAIT had instead been obtaining without permission. In 1966, the FCC fined Hernreich $1,000 for rebroadcasting programs from other stations over KAIT without their permission, as well as other violations. The rebroadcasts included coverage of the Watts riots and two Project Gemini launches, as well as excerpts from NBC's Huntley-Brinkley Report.[18] KAIT renewed its ABC affiliation in 1967, and Hernreich sought increases in the network compensation rate ABC paid it to air network programming. Hernreich was successful in seeking these increases after he made two bribes to Thomas G. Sullivan, a regional station relations manager for the network.[19]

In March 1970, the FCC began a private investigation into allegations of station owners bribing ABC for network affiliation after ABC accused Sullivan of accepting a bribe from WKTR-TV serving Dayton, Ohio.[20] After Sullivan was fired, ABC rescinded the compensation increases.[19] The inquiry implicated Hernreich and indicated that he may have paid an ABC representative. As a result, in July 1971, the FCC designated KAIT-TV's broadcast license renewal for hearing. It allowed Hernreich to start broadcasting KFPW-TV at Fort Smith but conditioned a final license on the outcome of the hearing.[20] In April 1973, FCC administrative law judge Forest L. McClenning ruled that Hernreich should lose the licenses for both stations. He found that Hernreich lacked the qualifications to be a broadcast licensee, putting his other holdings—two AM radio stations and an FM outlet in other Arkansas cities—in peril. McClenning rejected allegations from Hernreich that the payments were made on threat of losing the ABC affiliation for KAIT-TV.[19] On appeal to the FCC in 1974, Hernreich won a license for KFPW-TV in Fort Smith and was found to be generally qualified, but the commission on a 3-2 vote denied a license renewal for KAIT-TV.[21]

Hernreich petitioned the FCC to reconsider its split action on his television licenses, arguing that such a decision on his actions did not hold water and claiming that the profits from the Jonesboro station were necessary to run KFPW-TV in Fort Smith.[22] His attorneys claimed that the decision was inconsistent and failed to account for ABC's role in the bribery scandal.[23] The FCC ultimately agreed with Hernreich and reversed its 1974 decision in 1979, allowing KAIT-TV to remain on the air.[24]

Channel and Cosmos/Liberty ownership

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After KAIT-TV's license was renewed, George Hernreich stepped down as chairman of Hernreich Broadcasting Stations in 1980.[25] In 1981, the station installed a new transmitter, increasing its coverage area. Three years later, his son Bob—citing the distance between Jonesboro and Fort Smith and an interest to pursue other business ventures—sold KAIT for $22 million to Channel Communications, Inc. of Nashville, Tennessee. Channel was a subsidiary of NASCO, Inc., a maker of licensed goods for the National Football League diversifying into the broadcasting business.[26] KAIT was the second of three stations Channel purchased between August 1983 and May 1984, after KPLC in Lake Charles, Louisiana, but before WCLQ-TV in Cleveland.[27]

After two years, Channel Communications exited broadcasting. It agreed to sell KAIT and KPLC to Cosmos Broadcasting Inc., the broadcasting arm of South Carolina–based insurer Liberty Corporation, for a combined $68 million.[28] Cosmos included KAIT and two other stations in an attempted sale to Broad Street Companies of New Haven, Connecticut, in 1992;[29] the deal never closed, as Broad Street failed to finance the transaction.[30]

In January 2003, KAIT began broadcasting a digital signal.[31] KAIT shut down its analog signal on June 12, 2009, and relocated its digital signal relocated from its pre-transition VHF channel 9 to channel 8 for post-transition operations.[32]

Raycom and Gray ownership

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Liberty exited the insurance business in 2000 and merged with Raycom Media in 2006.[33][34] Under Raycom, KAIT added two digital subchannels offering additional national networks. On January 26, 2015, it launched an NBC affiliate on its 8.2 subchannel,[35] previously used to broadcast weather and occasional local sports coverage.[36] KAIT, which had garnered nearly 97 percent of all television advertising revenue in Jonesboro in 2013,[35] received competition later in 2015 when Waypoint Media launched in-market Fox and CBS affiliate KJNB-LD.[37][38] In 2018, KAIT added The CW on subchannel 8.3.[39][40]

Raycom merged with Gray Television in a deal announced in 2018 and finalized in 2019.[41][42] In 2021, the station moved its transmissions from the VHF to the UHF band.[43][2][44]

News operation

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Refer to caption
Congressman Rick Crawford being interviewed by Diana Davis on KAIT in 2016

As of 2025, KAIT broadcasts 24+1⁄2 hours of locally produced newscasts each week, including a 2+1⁄2-hour morning newscast on weekdays, Good Morning Region 8; weekday newscasts at 11 a.m. and 5, 6, and 10 p.m.; and two weekend newscasts daily.[45]

KAIT has historically served a larger coverage area than its media market. This is because there are counties where KAIT was the most-viewed station but the stations in Little Rock or Memphis, Tennessee, collectively had higher share, causing them to be drawn into that market.[31] Within that market, however, KAIT has traditionally dominated the Memphis stations as the only local news source.[46]

Notable former on-air staff

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Technical information

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Subchannels

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The station's signal is multiplexed:

Subchannels of KAIT[49]
Channel Res. Aspect Short name Programming
8.1 720p 16:9 KAITAB ABC
8.2 KAITNB NBC
8.3 KAITCW The CW Plus

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for KAIT". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ a b "Channel Substitution/Community of License Change". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission. November 27, 2020. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
  3. ^ "Application For TV Channel 8 Filed By KBTM". Jonesboro Evening Sun. Jonesboro, Arkansas. September 24, 1954. p. 1. Retrieved June 22, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "TV Permit Is Granted KBTM". Jonesboro Evening Sun. Jonesboro, Arkansas. January 13, 1955. p. 1. Retrieved June 22, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Transfer Of TV Permit Is Asked". Jonesboro Evening Sun. Jonesboro, Arkansas. Associated Press. May 16, 1956. p. 1. Retrieved June 22, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "TV Operation In City Is Planned By December 1st". Jonesboro Evening Sun. Jonesboro, Arkansas. July 20, 1956. p. 1. Retrieved June 22, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "KBTM-TV Surrenders Ch. 8 Cp". Broadcasting. November 4, 1957. p. 88. ProQuest 1285764358.
  8. ^ "Tv Delays Evoke FCC Action". Broadcasting. October 21, 1957. p. 92. ProQuest 1285743079.
  9. ^ "Station Absorption Fought by Hernreich". Broadcasting. July 14, 1958. pp. 54, 58. ProQuest 1401226677.
  10. ^ "TV Channel To Stay In City". Jonesboro Evening Sun. Jonesboro, Arkansas. February 4, 1959. p. 3. Retrieved June 22, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "History Cards for KAIT". Federal Communications Commission.
  12. ^ "Permit Issued For TV Station In Jonesboro". Jonesboro Evening Sun. Jonesboro, Arkansas. Associated Press. April 9, 1960. p. 1. Retrieved June 22, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Television Station To Start Operation Here". Jonesboro Evening Sun. Jonesboro, Arkansas. January 21, 1963. p. 1. Retrieved June 22, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "Huge Antenna Falls 300 Feet". Jonesboro Evening Sun. Jonesboro, Arkansas. February 12, 1963. p. 1. Retrieved June 22, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ "KAIT Slated To Go On Air Within Week". The Sun. Jonesboro, Arkansas. July 8, 1963. p. 1. Retrieved June 22, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "KAIT To Make Debut On Air This Afternoon". Jonesboro Evening Sun. Jonesboro, Arkansas. July 15, 1963. p. 1. Retrieved June 22, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ "KAIT-TV Will Join ABC Net On October 1". Jonesboro Evening Sun. Jonesboro, Arkansas. September 9, 1965. p. 1. Retrieved June 22, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ "FCC sends three to the woodshed". Broadcasting. September 12, 1966. p. 62. ProQuest 1014522826.
  19. ^ a b c "FCC judge rejects Hernreich's claim of being victimized: McClenning proposes lifting licenses for involvement in payoff to network official". Broadcasting. April 30, 1973. ProQuest 1285752234.
  20. ^ a b "FCC-network probe alleged ABC payoff: Hearings called to examine Arkansas broadcaster's applications for licenses". Broadcasting. August 2, 1971. p. 28. ProQuest 1016850704.
  21. ^ "Hernreich loses KAIT-TV license, retains KFPW-TV's: Ark. broadcaster's renewal denied after FCC holds his payment of bribe for ABC affiliation favors beyond pale of Chairman Wiley's 'new ethic'". Broadcasting. July 22, 1974. p. 18. ProQuest 1014665143.
  22. ^ "Hernreich: One denial, one renewal doesn't add: Arkansas station owner says if he's qualified to run KFPW-TV he ought to be allowed to operate KAIT-TV; FCC asked to take another look". August 26, 1974. p. 20. ProQuest 1016878602.
  23. ^ "FCC errors claimed in Hernreich denial: KAIT-TV counsel says role of ABC in alleged bribery wasn't considered, contends inconsistencies in decision". Broadcasting. December 23, 1974. p. 19. ProQuest 1016881188.
  24. ^ "In Brief". Broadcasting. May 14, 1979. p. 25. ProQuest 1016899125.
  25. ^ "Hernreich Broadcasting Announces Changes". The Jonesboro Sun. Jonesboro, Arkansas. January 4, 1980. p. 9. Retrieved June 22, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. ^ Troutt, Bob (February 14, 1984). "KAIT Television Station Sells For $22 Million". The Jonesboro Sun. Jonesboro, Arkansas. p. 1. Retrieved June 22, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. ^ Cason, Albert (May 6, 1984). "Nasco Acquires TV Station In Cleveland". The Tennessean. Nashville, Tennessee. pp. 1-I, 8-I. Retrieved June 22, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ^ "NASCO to sell 3 TV stations for $83 million". The Tennessean. Nashville, Tennessee. October 3, 1986. p. 5-B. Retrieved June 22, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ^ "Sale of KAIT is reported in the works". The Jonesboro Sun. Jonesboro, Arkansas. June 23, 1992. pp. 1A, 2A. Retrieved June 22, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. ^ "KAIT station sale will not be completed". The Sun. Jonesboro, Arkansas. October 30, 1992. pp. 1A, 2A. Retrieved June 22, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ^ a b Miller, Mark (May 5, 2003). "One Station, Many Rivals". Broadcasting & Cable. p. 13. ProQuest 225240661.
  32. ^ "DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and the Second Rounds" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on August 29, 2013. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
  33. ^ Dykes, David (December 7, 2005). "Liberty seals deal with Raycom: Shareholders vote to support merger". The Greenville News. Greenville, South Carolina. pp. 9A, 12A. Retrieved June 22, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  34. ^ "Liberty Corp. shares cease trading". The State. Columbia, South Carolina. February 1, 2006. p. B8. Retrieved June 22, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. ^ a b Malone, Michael (December 31, 2014). "KAIT Jonesboro to Launch NBC As Multicast". Broadcasting & Cable. Archived from the original on March 15, 2025. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  36. ^ "Television Lineup For ASU Troy Game Includes ESPN3, KAIT, and KATV Digital Channels". Arkansas State University. November 15, 2012.
  37. ^ "Jonesboro Gets New Fox TV Affiliate - Talk Business & Politics". Talk Business & Politics. June 7, 2015. Archived from the original on April 20, 2018. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  38. ^ Wilkey, Michael (July 31, 2015). "Jonesboro Market To Get CBS Affiliate". Talk Business & Politics. Archived from the original on March 19, 2025. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  39. ^ "KAIT launching new CW affiliate in Region 8". KAIT. July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  40. ^ "A Better Region 8: Labor Day Weekend includes the new CW on 8.3". KAIT. August 30, 2018. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  41. ^ Miller, Mark K. (June 25, 2018). "Gray To Buy Raycom For $3.6 Billion". TVNewsCheck. NewsCheckMedia. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  42. ^ "Gray Closes On $3.6 Billion Raycom Merger". TVNewsCheck. NewsCheckMedia. January 2, 2019. Archived from the original on January 3, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
  43. ^ "Antenna Users - Tower work complete! Rescan your sets for best signal". www.kait8.com. October 3, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  44. ^ "Report & Order" (PDF). Media Bureau, Federal Communications Commission. May 20, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  45. ^ "Quarterly List of Programming Providing Most Significant Treatment of Community Issues (First Quarter 2025)" (PDF). Public Inspection File. Federal Communications Commission. March 31, 2025.
  46. ^ Turner, Lance (May 15, 2000). "NBC Newscast in Fayetteville to Add Competition to Market". Arkansas Business. ProQuest 220375436.
  47. ^ "Rodger Bumpass (1951–)". The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
  48. ^ Lockwood, Frank E. (October 13, 2017). "Arkansan joins Trump team, will work in White House as deputy press secretary". Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  49. ^ "RabbitEars TV Query for KAIT". RabbitEars. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
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Media related to KAIT at Wikimedia Commons

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