KTXD-TV

KTXD-TV is a full-power television station licensed to Greenville, Texas, and serving the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. The station broadcasts on virtual channel 47 and operates from studios on Inwood Road in Farmers Branch, while its post-digital-transition transmitter is located in Cedar Hill. KTXD is owned by Cunningham Broadcasting, a company associated with Sinclair Broadcast Group. Its programming identity has changed repeatedly, reflecting the economics of independent television, digital multicast networks, syndicated programming, and Sinclair-linked network distribution. The station began broadcasting on April 1, 1994, under the call sign KTAQ. During its first years, it relied heavily on home-shopping programming, including services such as The Jewelry Network, Shop at Home, America's Collectibles Network, and ShopNBC. In late 2006, following a change in ownership, the station adopted a round-the-clock religious format as the flagship outlet of the Promiseland Television Network. A regulatory filing issue involving the station's public inspection file resulted in a Federal Communications Commission forfeiture in 2007. Simons Broadcasting, the company then operating the station, entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in 2008, and the station was subsequently transferred through a sale to Platinum Equity. Platinum Equity later sold the station to London Broadcasting Company. The transaction closed in January 2012, and London changed the call sign from KTAQ to KTXD-TV. Under London, the station moved toward a general-entertainment model. It used the verbal brand “K-Tex,” carried MeTV programming on its primary channel for part of the day, and placed the complete MeTV schedule on a digital subchannel. London also invested in locally produced programming, including the news and commentary program The Texas Daily, the lifestyle and panel show The Broadcast, and the sports discussion program DFW Sports Beat. These efforts sought to establish KTXD as a locally relevant independent station rather than a primarily brokered or shopping outlet. KTXD ended its MeTV affiliation in October 2013 and became a general-entertainment independent station. Its schedule combined classic and contemporary syndicated series, local programs, educational programming, religious shows, infomercials, and selected sports. The station also briefly held local rights to a Dallas Cowboys regular-season road game carried through the ESPN Monday Night Football package. Several locally produced programs were later discontinued because of limited audience and advertising performance. The Texas Daily ended in March 2014, while The Broadcast continued until March 2015. London Broadcasting sold KTXD to Cunningham Broadcasting for $9.5 million in a transaction announced in September 2017 and completed in January 2018. Sinclair indicated that the station could serve as a useful facility in connection with the transition to ATSC 3.0, the next-generation digital television standard. In March 2018, KTXD replaced its general-entertainment schedule with programming from Sinclair-owned Stadium, a sports-oriented digital network. The station subsequently moved through several Sinclair-associated digital-network arrangements. In 2023, KTXD placed TBD on its main signal while moving The Nest to a subchannel. It later carried Merit TV, returned to the network subsequently branded Roar, and, according to the supplied reference material, moved its primary affiliation to Estrella TV in July 2026. Because these later schedule changes are subject to continuing broadcast updates, the station's current lineup should be verified against its official website and FCC records.

KTXD-TV signed on April 1, 1994, as KTAQ, a station licensed to Greenville, Texas. Its original business model centered on home-shopping programming. It carried services including The Jewelry Network, Shop at Home, America's Collectibles Network, and later ShopNBC. Although the station affiliated with America's Collectibles Network in 2000, much of the shopping schedule remained concentrated in overnight periods. In late 2006, KTAQ adopted a 24-hour religious format after being acquired by Simons Broadcasting, the company associated with Promiseland Television Network founder Mike Simons. The station became the network's flagship outlet. In 2007, the FCC proposed and imposed a $10,000 forfeiture because the station had not timely maintained several categories of documents in its public inspection file, including a biennial ownership report, issues-and-programs lists, and children's television reports. Simons Broadcasting filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November 2008. While operating as debtor in possession, it sold the station to Platinum Equity in 2010. KTAQ then moved to an infomercial-heavy format. Platinum Equity later sold the station to London Broadcasting Company. The transaction closed on January 19, 2012, and London changed the call sign to KTXD-TV. London positioned the station as a general-entertainment outlet and used the “K-Tex” branding. On March 16, 2012, KTXD began carrying MeTV programming on its primary signal during selected hours and placed the network's full schedule on digital subchannel 47.4. The station also developed locally produced lifestyle, news, and entertainment programs. Among London's most prominent local initiatives was The Texas Daily, an hour-long news and commentary program that premiered in October 2012. Its contributors included former anchors and reporters associated with major Dallas–Fort Worth stations. The show initially aired in the morning, later moved to an evening slot, and received a late-evening repeat. It was canceled in March 2014 after the station cited low viewership and difficulty selling advertising. KTXD also produced DFW Sports Beat and launched The Broadcast, a panel-style talk and lifestyle program. The latter attracted attention in 2014 when co-host Amy Kushnir left the set during a contentious discussion concerning public remarks by football players and the televised kiss involving NFL player Michael Sam and his boyfriend. The Broadcast ended in March 2015. A television simulcast of The Mark Davis Morning Show also ran on KTXD from 2013 until its cancellation in 2014. KTXD declined to renew its MeTV agreement and ended the affiliation on October 31, 2013. The station then operated as an independent general-entertainment service, combining classic television, newer syndicated programs, local productions, educational material, college sports, religious programming, and infomercials. It acquired local rights to a Dallas Cowboys road game against the Chicago Bears in December 2013 as part of the ESPN Monday Night Football package. In 2014, Gannett announced a $215 million purchase of most of London Broadcasting's stations. KTXD and KCEB were excluded from the transaction, leaving London as their owner. London later agreed to sell KTXD to Cunningham Broadcasting for $9.5 million. The sale was announced in September 2017 and completed on January 11, 2018. Cunningham's corporate relationship with Sinclair was significant to the station's subsequent programming and technical role. Sinclair said KTXD could be used as a “lighthouse” facility in the transition to ATSC 3.0, the next-generation broadcast standard. On March 7, 2018, KTXD replaced its independent entertainment schedule with programming from Stadium, a Sinclair-owned sports network. Subsequent changes reflected the shifting digital-network portfolio associated with Sinclair. In 2023, KTXD moved TBD from a subchannel to its primary signal after Stadium's over-the-air service was converted into The Nest. The station later carried Merit TV and then Roar, with the supplied reference material reporting further changes in 2026, including a return to Roar and a July 27 switch to Estrella TV. Its technical footprint expanded substantially after the analog shutdown: the digital transmitter moved from Greenville to Cedar Hill, improving coverage across the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area while reducing reception for some viewers near the former analog service area.

• 2026

  Reported Roar and Estrella TV changes

  [1]KTXD-TVen.wikipedia.org

  The supplied reference reports a return to Roar in March followed by an Estrella TV affiliation beginning July 27.

• 2024

  Merit TV affiliation

  [1]KTXD-TVen.wikipedia.org

  The station begins carrying Merit TV on its principal service.

• 2023

  TBD moves to the main signal

  [1]KTXD-TVen.wikipedia.org

  KTXD places TBD on its primary channel and moves The Nest to a subchannel.

• 2018

  Stadium replaces independent programming

  [1]KTXD-TVen.wikipedia.org

  KTXD changes its primary format to programming from Stadium.

• 2013

  KTXD becomes independent

  [1]KTXD-TVen.wikipedia.org

  The station ends its MeTV relationship and adopts an independent schedule.

• 2012

  London Broadcasting takes control

  [1]KTXD-TVen.wikipedia.org

  London completes its purchase, changes the call sign to KTXD-TV, and begins a general-entertainment strategy.

• 2012

  MeTV affiliation begins

  [1]KTXD-TVen.wikipedia.org

  KTXD carries MeTV on its primary service and digital subchannel 47.4.

• 2008

  Simons Broadcasting enters bankruptcy

  [1]KTXD-TVen.wikipedia.org

  Simons Broadcasting files for Chapter 11 protection.

• 2006

  Promiseland religious format begins

  [1]KTXD-TVen.wikipedia.org

  The station shifts to a 24-hour religious schedule and becomes the flagship of the Promiseland Television Network.

• 2000

  America's Collectibles Network affiliation

  [1]KTXD-TVen.wikipedia.org

  KTAQ affiliates with America's Collectibles Network, now known as Jewelry Television, while retaining substantial shopping programming.

• 1994

  KTAQ signs on

  [1]KTXD-TVen.wikipedia.org

  The station begins broadcasting on April 1 as KTAQ, licensed to Greenville, Texas.

A Dallas–Fort Worth television outlet whose identity has shifted from home shopping and religious broadcasting to local general entertainment, sports-oriented network carriage, and digital multicast affiliations.

• Broadcast television service · 1994

  KTXD-TV Channel 47

  The station's principal over-the-air television service, licensed to Greenville and serving the Dallas–Fort Worth market. Its programming identity has varied from shopping and religious content to general entertainment, sports, digital-network programming, and the reported Estrella TV affiliation.

• Local news and commentary · 2012

  The Texas Daily

  A locally produced hour-long news and commentary program focused on Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas, and broader national and international stories. It debuted in October 2012, shifted from a morning slot to evening airings, and ended in March 2014 after weak ratings and limited advertising support.

• Talk and lifestyle programming · 2012

  The Broadcast

  A panel-based talk and lifestyle program modeled in broad format on daytime discussion shows. It began in 2012, was originally associated with D Magazine, and continued under the shorter title The Broadcast after that relationship ended. The program was canceled in March 2015.

• Local sports programming · 2012

  DFW Sports Beat

  A weekend sports interview and discussion program hosted by Brady Tinker and Everson Walls. It covered sports topics relevant to the Dallas–Fort Worth area and was discontinued in early 2014.

• 2007

  Public inspection file violations

  The FCC fined KTAQ $10,000 after the station acknowledged that required ownership, issues-and-programs, and children's television documentation had not been timely placed in its public inspection file.

  Source

Read more

• 2023

  Reassign digital-network servicesOther

  Background

  Sinclair converted Stadium's over-the-air service into The Nest.

  Action taken

  KTXD placed TBD on its primary signal and moved The Nest to digital subchannel 47.4.

  Aftermath

  Further changes moved the station through Merit TV and Roar affiliations.

  Source

• 2018

  Replace independent schedule with StadiumStrategy

  Background

  After Cunningham's acquisition, the station became more closely aligned with Sinclair's digital-network portfolio.

  Action taken

  KTXD replaced its general-entertainment programming with Stadium programming on March 7.

  Aftermath

  The station subsequently participated in further Sinclair network and subchannel reorganizations.

  Source

• 2017

  Sale to Cunningham BroadcastingM&A

  Background

  London Broadcasting agreed to sell KTXD as part of a change in ownership.

  Action taken

  Cunningham Broadcasting acquired the station for $9.5 million; the sale closed on January 11, 2018.

  Aftermath

  Sinclair-linked network programming became central to the station, and Sinclair identified KTXD as a possible ATSC 3.0 transition facility.

  Purchase price. $9.5 million (Transaction announced September 15, 2017; completed January 11, 2018)

  Source

• 2013

  End MeTV affiliationStrategy

  Background

  KTXD chose not to renew its MeTV affiliation agreement.

  Action taken

  The station dropped MeTV and converted the primary service to an independent schedule of classic and contemporary syndicated programming.

  Aftermath

  The station continued local production and added other programming categories before its later sale to Cunningham.

  Source

• 2012

  London Broadcasting acquisitionM&A

  Background

  Platinum Equity sold the station to London Broadcasting Company.

  Action taken

  The transaction closed on January 19, and the station adopted the KTXD-TV call sign and a general-entertainment positioning.

  Aftermath

  London introduced MeTV carriage and locally produced news, lifestyle, and sports programs.

  Source

• 2006

  Adopt a religious programming formatStrategy

  Background

  Following its acquisition by Simons Broadcasting, the station moved away from shopping-oriented programming.

  Action taken

  KTAQ became the flagship station of the Promiseland Television Network and carried religious programming around the clock.

  Aftermath

  The format lasted until the station later moved through an infomercial schedule and then into London Broadcasting's general-entertainment strategy.

  Source

1. 1KTXD-TVen.wikipedia.org
2. 2KTXD-TV official websitetexas47.com