KSPR-LD

KSPR-LD is a low-power television station licensed to Springfield, Missouri, and serving viewers across the Ozarks. The station broadcasts on virtual channel 33 and is affiliated with the ABC television network. Because its own low-power over-the-air signal does not cover the entire Springfield market, KSPR-LD is also carried in high definition on KYTV's second digital subchannel, which is mapped to virtual channel 33.1. This arrangement gives the station broader effective reach than its individual transmitter footprint would provide. The station began broadcasting on March 15, 1990, as K15CZ, originally operating as an independent station. It became a charter affiliate of UPN when that network launched in January 1995 and adopted the on-air identity UPN 15. During the late 1990s, it entered into a local marketing arrangement with Schurz Communications, the owner of Springfield NBC affiliate KYTV. Schurz acquired the station outright in 2002. K15CZ later became the Springfield market's affiliate of The CW when that network launched in September 2006, following the planned shutdown of UPN and The WB. The station operated under a CW-oriented identity for much of the following period and obtained the theozarkscw.com domain in 2006. Its digital development proceeded in stages: KYTV initially carried a standard-definition simulcast, while the station later received authorization to construct its own digital facilities. The digital license was issued in January 2015. A major ownership and identity transition occurred after Schurz announced in 2015 that it would sell its broadcasting assets to Gray Television. The transaction included KYTV, K15CZ-D and related arrangements involving KSPR. In March 2016, K15CZ-D became KYCW-LD. In February 2017, the call sign changed again to KSPR-LD as the broader transaction and related station restructuring took effect. The KSPR programming identity, including the ABC affiliation, moved to the low-power station. The former full-power KSPR facility was renamed KGHZ and ultimately left the air in 2017 after its license was returned to the Federal Communications Commission. KSPR-LD is part of Gray's Springfield station group alongside KYTV, the market's NBC affiliate, and KYCW-LD, a Branson-licensed CW station. The stations share facilities on West Sunshine Street in Springfield, while KSPR-LD's transmitter is located north of Fordland on Highway FF. KSPR-LD has historically provided local news and weather programming under the KSPR identity. Its news operation was initially separate from KYTV's, although the stations sometimes shared video and other resources. Following a substantial staff reduction in 2017, KYTV assumed most production responsibilities for KSPR newscasts. The stations subsequently carried combined newscasts at many times, while KSPR retained selected distinct local broadcasts. This consolidation made KSPR-LD a hybrid broadcast brand: it remains an ABC affiliate with its own channel identity, but much of its local content is produced through the wider KYTV operation. The brand's principal offerings are ABC network programming, locally focused news, weather and sports coverage, syndicated programming, and digital subchannel services. Its audience proposition is centered on local service for the Springfield-area market, with the ABC affiliation providing national entertainment, news and sports programming and the KYTV simulcast extending practical availability across a geographically large and mountainous region.

KSPR-LD signed on March 15, 1990, as K15CZ, a low-power independent television station serving the Springfield, Missouri, area. The station had an associated Branson repeater, K17DL, although that facility was later transferred to Branson Visitors TV, LLC and developed a tourist-information format. When UPN launched on January 16, 1995, K15CZ became one of its charter affiliates and used the UPN 15 identity. During the late 1990s, the station entered a local marketing agreement with Schurz Communications, owner of KYTV, the Springfield NBC affiliate. Schurz completed its acquisition of K15CZ in 2002. The station's next major programming change followed the creation of The CW. In January 2006, Warner Bros. and CBS announced that The WB and UPN would be replaced by a combined network. K15CZ became the Springfield market's CW affiliate when The CW launched on September 18, 2006. The station also secured the theozarkscw.com domain that year. Because it was initially licensed as a low-power translator, K15CZ did not begin with an independent digital transmission facility. KYTV carried a simulcast, which was later placed on a digital subchannel associated with KSPR. The FCC subsequently authorized digital facilities, and the station's digital license was issued in January 2015. Schurz announced in September 2015 that it would leave broadcasting and sell its television and radio properties to Gray Television. The transaction included K15CZ-D, KYTV and arrangements involving KSPR. During the transition, the low-power station changed its call sign to KYCW-LD in March 2016 and then to KSPR-LD in February 2017. The call-sign change accompanied a major realignment: the KSPR intellectual property and ABC affiliation moved to the low-power station, while the former full-power KSPR facility became KGHZ and was associated with Antenna TV programming. Virtual channel assignments were also rearranged, with KSPR-LD using 33.1 and KGHZ using 15.1 during the transition. Gray later signed off KGHZ and returned its license to the FCC on May 31, 2017. The station's local news history is connected to the broader KSPR operation. The full-power KSPR news department began in 1983, and the station expanded its schedule after taking the ABC affiliation in 1986. KSPR moved its operations into a renovated portion of KYTV's studio facility in 2009, becoming the second Springfield station to broadcast local news in high definition. The two stations retained nominally separate news departments for a time but shared selected footage and resources. In 2011, KYTV began producing a morning extension and a 9 p.m. newscast for K15CZ; the evening program was expanded to an hour in 2013. In 2017, Gray reduced KSPR staffing, prompting public criticism and uncertainty about the future of the separate news department. KYTV ultimately took over most KSPR news production. KSPR kept distinct local broadcasts at selected times, while many other newscasts became joint productions. KSPR-LD continues as a Gray-owned ABC affiliate, with its own low-power transmission supplemented by high-definition carriage on KYTV's second digital subchannel.

• 2017

  KSPR-LD identity and ABC affiliation move to the low-power station

  [1]KSPR-LDen.wikipedia.org

  The station adopts the KSPR-LD call sign and becomes the home of the KSPR ABC operation.

• 2016

  K15CZ-D becomes KYCW-LD

  [1]KSPR-LDen.wikipedia.org

  The call sign changes during the ownership and station-identity transition.

• 2015

  Gray agrees to acquire Schurz broadcasting assets

  [1]KSPR-LDen.wikipedia.org

  The announced transaction places K15CZ-D and KYTV in the Gray Television group.

• 2006

  The CW affiliation launches

  [1]KSPR-LDen.wikipedia.org

  K15CZ becomes the Springfield market's CW affiliate when the network begins operations.

• 2002

  Schurz acquires the station

  [1]KSPR-LDen.wikipedia.org

  Schurz Communications completes its purchase of K15CZ after a period of local marketing cooperation.

• 1995

  UPN affiliation begins

  [1]KSPR-LDen.wikipedia.org

  K15CZ becomes a charter UPN affiliate and adopts the UPN 15 identity.

• 1990

  K15CZ begins broadcasting

  [1]KSPR-LDen.wikipedia.org

  The low-power Springfield station signs on as an independent outlet.

A local broadcast television brand combining ABC network programming with Springfield-and-Ozarks news, weather and community coverage. Its low-power signal is supplemented by carriage on KYTV's digital subchannel to improve market reach.

• Broadcast television · 2017

  KSPR ABC television service

  KSPR-LD's core service is an ABC-affiliated broadcast television schedule serving Springfield and the Ozarks. It combines ABC network programming with locally branded news, weather and public-service content. The station's low-power terrestrial signal is supplemented by high-definition carriage on KYTV's second digital subchannel, improving access across the market.

• Local news · 1983

  KSPR local news

  KSPR local news includes market-specific reporting, weather and community information. Historically produced by a separate KSPR operation, much of the service is now produced by KYTV following the 2017 consolidation. KSPR retains selected distinct broadcasts while sharing other newscasts with KYTV.

• Digital television · 2006

  KSPR digital multicast service

  The station's digital distribution includes carriage through KYTV's second digital subchannel, mapped to virtual channel 33.1. This arrangement functions as an important coverage supplement because KSPR-LD's own low-power transmitter does not reach the entire Springfield market.

• 2017

  Consolidation of KSPR and KYTV news productionStrategy

  Background

  Gray reduced staffing at KSPR, creating uncertainty about whether the station would retain a fully separate news department.

  Action taken

  KYTV assumed most KSPR news production, while KSPR retained selected unique local newscasts and the stations used combined productions at other times.

  Aftermath

  The consolidation reduced operational duplication but drew criticism from some loyal KSPR viewers.

  Source

• 2015

  Gray acquisition of Schurz broadcast assetsM&A

  Background

  Schurz announced that it would exit broadcasting and sell its television and radio properties.

  Action taken

  Gray Television agreed to acquire the relevant Schurz broadcasting operations, including K15CZ-D and KYTV.

  Aftermath

  The transaction led to call-sign, channel-identity and affiliation changes affecting KSPR-LD and the former full-power KSPR facility.

  announced transaction value. 442.5 million USD (2015 announcement)

  Source

• 2006

  Switch from UPN to The CWStrategy

  Background

  UPN and The WB were being replaced by the newly formed CW network.

  Action taken

  K15CZ accepted affiliation with The CW when the network launched in September 2006.

  Aftermath

  The station operated as the Springfield market's CW outlet until the later KSPR identity and ABC-affiliation transition.

  Source

1. 1KSPR-LDen.wikipedia.org
2. 2KSPR-LD official websitetheozarkscw.com