KHBS is an ABC-affiliated television station in Fort Smith, Arkansas, operated with sister station KHOG-TV in Fayetteville under the 40/29 brand.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
KHBS is a broadcast television station serving Fort Smith, Arkansas, and the wider Arkansas River Valley and Northwest Arkansas television market. The station operates alongside KHOG-TV, channel 29 in Fayetteville, as a combined news and programming service commonly branded as 40/29. Both stations are affiliated with ABC, while their digital subchannels also carry The CW Plus programming. The operation is owned by Hearst Television, the broadcasting subsidiary of Hearst Corporation. The Fort Smith station began broadcasting on July 28, 1971, as KFPW-TV. It was established by George T. Hernreich, who also owned Fort Smith radio station KFPW. Initially, channel 40 carried a mixture of programming from ABC, CBS, and NBC, reflecting the limited network affiliation structure of the Fort Smith market. It developed a primary CBS relationship in 1973, but became an ABC affiliate in 1978 after the launch of another local station altered the market's affiliation balance. The station adopted the KHBS call letters in 1983, after the KFPW calls remained with the radio operation. The service expanded into Fayetteville during the 1970s. A former television station, KGTO-TV, was acquired and converted into a satellite operation. After a channel change from 36 to 29, it returned to the air as KTVP in December 1977. The Fayetteville station became KHOG-TV in 1987. The two stations developed a shared news identity, serving communities on both sides of the growing market. Their coverage model benefited from population growth in Benton and Washington counties, particularly around Fayetteville, Bentonville, and Rogers, while retaining a substantial presence in Fort Smith and the Arkansas River Valley. Ownership changed in stages. The Hernreich family retained control of the television properties until 1985, when KHBS-KTVP was sold to Sigma Broadcasting, a company controlled by George Hernreich's children, Cynthia and Robert Hernreich. Argyle Television acquired the stations in 1996. Argyle subsequently merged with Hearst's broadcasting operations in 1997, creating Hearst-Argyle Television; the broadcasting group later became Hearst Television. Hearst opened a 12,900-square-foot studio facility in Rogers in 2007, reflecting the increasing importance of Northwest Arkansas to the station's audience and news operation. KHBS and KHOG have competed primarily with KFSM-TV for local news leadership. During the 1980s and 1990s, the stations expanded their newsroom, developed separate or partially separate Fort Smith and Fayetteville presentation elements, and used geographically divided anchoring to address the market's two major population centers. The strategy helped 40/29 gain strength in Northwest Arkansas, where it became particularly competitive with younger viewers and in Benton and Washington counties. The operation has continued to add local programming, including expanded morning news, weekend morning broadcasts, newscasts on the Arkansas CW subchannel, weekend evening editions, and a main-channel 4 p.m. newscast added in 2024. Today, KHBS's over-the-air service is centered on its ABC affiliation, local news, weather, and community reporting. KHBS transmits from Cavanal Hill in northwestern LeFlore County, Oklahoma, while KHOG-TV transmits from a site southeast of Fayetteville. The stations completed the United States digital television transition in 2009 and continue to operate as a combined regional television brand.
History
KHBS originated as channel 40 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. George T. Hernreich, operating through KFPW Broadcasting Company, first applied in 1967 to construct a television station. The original proposal specified channel 24, but the application was later amended to channel 40. The Federal Communications Commission granted a construction permit in 1969, and limited programming began on July 28, 1971, under the call sign KFPW-TV. At launch, KFPW-TV carried a mixture of ABC, CBS, and NBC programs. Fort Smith had previously been served by a single major local station, so the new operation created a second local television competitor. In 1973, KFPW-TV obtained first-call rights to CBS programming while continuing to air selected ABC content. Its affiliation structure changed again in 1978. When a new Fort Smith station prepared to launch, discussions over exclusive affiliation led CBS to end its relationship with channel 40. KFPW-TV then became the market's primary ABC station, a role it retains. Hernreich's ownership was subject to an FCC proceeding connected with allegations involving his separate station, KAIT in Jonesboro. In 1973, an FCC administrative law judge found that Hernreich should lose licenses for both stations, but the commission later found him generally qualified to hold the KFPW-TV license. The commission did deny renewal of KAIT's license at that stage, although that decision was later reversed. The proceedings delayed and conditioned aspects of the Fort Smith station's licensing history but did not prevent its continued operation. The station expanded into Fayetteville through the acquisition and conversion of KGTO-TV. After going off the air while the transaction was considered, the facility was approved for a channel change from 36 to 29 and returned in December 1977 as KTVP, a satellite of KFPW-TV. Its local facilities were initially in Fayetteville's McIlroy Plaza and later on Church Street. In 1983, the Fort Smith station changed its call sign to KHBS after the KFPW calls remained with Hernreich's radio station. KTVP adopted the KHOG-TV call sign in 1987. The Hernreich family sold KHBS-KTVP to Sigma Broadcasting in 1985. Sigma was controlled by Cynthia and Robert Hernreich, separating the television properties from the family's remaining radio interests. Argyle Television purchased the stations in 1996. In 1997, Argyle combined with the Hearst broadcasting unit, forming Hearst-Argyle Television. The stations are now part of Hearst Television. As Northwest Arkansas grew, KHBS and KHOG increasingly oriented their news operation toward both Fort Smith and the Fayetteville-centered northern part of the market. The stations used a split-anchor and geographically distributed presentation style, later introducing partially separate newscasts for the two areas. Their expansion coincided with Benton County's movement into the Northwest Arkansas television market and helped the 40/29 operation gain substantial audience share in Benton and Washington counties. The newsroom grew from 10 employees in 1983 to 38 by 1991, according to the station's historical account. The operation opened a new 12,900-square-foot Rogers studio in 2007. KHBS and KHOG added The CW Plus to digital subchannels in 2008. Local news expansion continued through the 2010s, including a longer weekday morning program, weekend morning broadcasts, a 9 p.m. Arkansas CW newscast, a morning extension, and weekend early-evening editions. A 4 p.m. newscast was added to the primary channel in 2024. The stations ended analog broadcasting on June 12, 2009, as part of the nationwide United States digital transition. KHBS retained virtual channel 40 while using digital channel 21, and KHOG-TV retained virtual channel 29 while using digital channel 15. KHBS now transmits from Cavanal Hill near Poteau, Oklahoma, and KHOG-TV transmits from a site southeast of Fayetteville. Together they remain a Hearst-owned regional ABC and CW Plus television service branded as 40/29.
- 2024
4 p.m. newscast added
[1]The main KHBS service expanded its local news schedule with an afternoon newscast.
- 2009
Analog broadcasting ended
[1]Both stations ended regular analog transmissions during the United States digital television transition.
- 2008
The CW Plus launched on digital subchannels
[1]KHBS and KHOG-TV began carrying The CW as digital subchannel programming.
- 2007
Rogers studio opened
[1]Hearst-Argyle opened a new 12,900-square-foot studio in Rogers to support the expanding Northwest Arkansas operation.
- 1997
Argyle combined with Hearst broadcasting
[1]Argyle merged with Hearst's broadcasting unit, placing the stations in the Hearst-Argyle group.
- 1996
Argyle Television acquisition
[1]Argyle Television acquired KHBS and KHOG-TV from Sigma Broadcasting.
- 1987
KTVP became KHOG-TV
[1]The Fayetteville satellite adopted the KHOG-TV call sign.
- 1985
Television operation sold to Sigma Broadcasting
[1]KHBS-KTVP was sold to Sigma Broadcasting, controlled by Cynthia and Robert Hernreich.
- 1983
Fort Smith call sign changed to KHBS
[1]The station adopted KHBS after the KFPW calls remained with the related radio station.
- 1978
ABC affiliation established
[1]Channel 40 became the market's primary ABC affiliate after changes surrounding the launch of a competing station.
Products and positioning
A regional broadcast news and entertainment service positioned around dual-market coverage of Fort Smith, the Arkansas River Valley, and fast-growing Northwest Arkansas.
Local television news
40/29 News
The shared local-news identity of KHBS and KHOG-TV, covering Fort Smith, the Arkansas River Valley, Fayetteville, Benton County, Washington County, and surrounding communities. The operation has historically used a dual-market presentation model to reflect the distinct interests of Fort Smith and Northwest Arkansas.
Morning television news
40/29 News Sunrise
The station's weekday morning news program. Its runtime was expanded in 2011, and the broader morning franchise later included weekend broadcasts and an extension associated with the Arkansas CW service.
Network television affiliation · 1978
ABC programming
KHBS and KHOG-TV serve as ABC affiliates for the Fort Smith and Northwest Arkansas market, providing the network's entertainment, news, sports, and special-event programming alongside locally produced content.
Digital multicast television service · 2008
Arkansas CW
A CW Plus service carried on digital subchannels of KHBS and KHOG-TV. In addition to network programming, the service has carried locally produced newscasts, including a 9 p.m. program introduced in 2012 and later morning and weekend editions.
Controversies
1973
FCC licensing proceeding connected to KAIT investigation
An FCC administrative law judge ruled that George T. Hernreich should lose licenses for KFPW-TV and his separate station KAIT after an investigation into alleged bribery involving KAIT and ABC. The FCC later found Hernreich generally qualified to hold the KFPW-TV license, allowing the Fort Smith station to continue, while the separate KAIT renewal dispute proceeded through further appeals.
Brand decisions
2008
Added The CW Plus to digital subchannelsProduct launchBackground
The local market had lacked an over-the-air CW affiliate, and cable viewers had previously faced limited access to the network.
Action taken
KHBS and KHOG-TV launched The CW Plus on digital subchannels.
Aftermath
The stations broadened their multicast offering and later added local Arkansas CW news programming.
1978
Became an ABC affiliateStrategyBackground
The arrival of another Fort Smith station prompted negotiations over exclusive network affiliations and led CBS to end its relationship with channel 40.
Action taken
KFPW-TV and its Fayetteville satellite aligned with ABC as their primary network affiliation.
Aftermath
The ABC affiliation became the foundation of the KHBS-KHOG operation and remains in place.
1977
Converted Fayetteville station into a satellite operationStrategyBackground
Hernreich sought to extend the Fort Smith service into Fayetteville and the growing Northwest Arkansas market.
Action taken
The former KGTO-TV facility was changed to channel 29 and returned to the air as KTVP, rebroadcasting the Fort Smith station's programming.
Aftermath
The Fayetteville operation later became KHOG-TV and developed into a core part of the 40/29 regional service.
1973
Adopted a primary CBS relationshipStrategyBackground
KFPW-TV initially carried programming from all three major networks in a developing two-station market.
Action taken
The station obtained first-call rights to CBS programming while continuing to carry selected ABC content.
Aftermath
The affiliation arrangement lasted until the market changed after the planned launch of a third local station.
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