KXAN-TV
KXAN-TV is an NBC-affiliated television station serving Austin and Central Texas.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
KXAN-TV is a television station licensed to Austin, Texas, and affiliated with NBC. The station operates on virtual channel 36 and serves viewers across the Austin metropolitan area and parts of Central Texas and the Texas Hill Country. Its programming combines NBC network content with locally produced news, weather, traffic, investigative reporting, public-affairs coverage and digital journalism distributed through the KXAN website and related platforms. The station began broadcasting on February 12, 1965, as KHFI-TV on UHF channel 42. It was established by the Kingsbury family, which also owned KHFI radio properties. At launch, the station operated as an independent outlet because of existing network-contract arrangements, although it joined NBC in 1966. Austin's television market was difficult for early UHF broadcasters because reception required special equipment and the region's terrain made coverage challenging. In 1973, the station received approval to move to channel 36, adopted the KTVV call letters and substantially increased transmitter power, improving its reach throughout the market. LIN Broadcasting acquired the station in 1979. The KXAN-TV call sign was adopted on October 15, 1987, linking the station's identity to fellow NBC affiliate KXAS-TV in Fort Worth. To extend service into the Hill Country, LIN launched a Llano-area station in 1991; that operation later became KBVO, which operates alongside KXAN as part of Nexstar's Austin station group. KXAN retained NBC when Austin's major affiliation landscape changed in 1995. That year, KTBC moved from CBS to Fox and the former Fox outlet, then known as KBVO, became KEYE-TV and joined CBS. The change helped KXAN strengthen its competitive position. Its morning program, News 36 Firstcast, became the market's first hour-long local morning newscast and achieved a major ratings breakthrough in the early 1990s. By the late 1990s, KXAN had overtaken KTBC in several periods and developed a continuing ratings rivalry with ABC affiliate KVUE. The station expanded its local-news footprint through partnerships with sister or affiliated outlets. It began producing a 9 p.m. newscast for KNVA in 2009 and a weekday morning extension for that station in 2013. KXAN's local newscasts moved to high definition in 2008. The station now produces extensive weekday and weekend local-news programming, supported by a newsroom focused on Austin-area politics, public safety, transportation, weather, education, health and consumer issues. Ownership changed again when Media General acquired LIN Broadcasting in 2014. Nexstar Broadcasting Group completed its acquisition of Media General in January 2017, placing KXAN within the Nexstar Media Group portfolio. Nexstar announced a proposed acquisition of Tegna, owner of Austin ABC affiliate KVUE, in 2025; the reference material states that the transaction closed in 2026 but that court action prevented immediate integration of the Austin stations. KXAN therefore remains an active NBC station within Nexstar's Austin operations, alongside KBVO and services provided to KNVA under a local marketing arrangement.
History
KXAN-TV's history begins with Austin's expansion beyond its original VHF television service. The station signed on February 12, 1965, as KHFI-TV on UHF channel 42. The Kingsbury family owned the television operation alongside KHFI radio. Although the station was logically positioned to carry NBC, contractual obligations required it to operate independently for more than a year before joining NBC in 1966. Early UHF broadcasting faced technical and commercial obstacles. Viewers often needed converters, UHF signals generally covered less territory than VHF signals, and the Austin market extended across terrain that made reliable reception difficult. In 1973, the FCC authorized a move to channel 36. The station became KTVV, increased its effective power to five million watts and significantly enlarged its service area. LIN Broadcasting purchased the station in 1979. On October 15, 1987, KTVV adopted the KXAN-TV call sign, reflecting its relationship with KXAS-TV in Fort Worth. Coverage in the Hill Country was later strengthened through the launch of a Llano station in 1991. That operation changed call signs several times before becoming KBVO, now a related Nexstar station serving the Austin area. KXAN's competitive position improved during the 1990s. Its News 36 Firstcast morning program, launched in November 1990, became Austin's first hour-long local morning newscast and delivered the station its first sweeps victory in February 1993. The 1995 network-affiliation changes, driven by Fox's acquisition of NFL rights and its deal with New World Communications, moved KTBC to Fox and placed CBS on the former Fox outlet. KXAN retained NBC and gradually became a leading Austin news provider. The station's technical and programming operations continued to expand. Its current transmission tower was activated in 1996, replacing a structure dating from 1964. KXAN began high-definition local-news broadcasting in December 2008, launched a nightly 9 p.m. newscast on KNVA in September 2009 and added a two-hour weekday morning extension for KNVA in 2013. Corporate ownership shifted from LIN to Media General in December 2014 and then to Nexstar in January 2017. KXAN currently operates from studios on West Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in west-central Austin, near the University of Texas campus, with its transmitter at the West Austin Antenna Farm north of West Lake Hills. Its broadcast signal is digitally transmitted on UHF channel 21 while retaining virtual channel 36. The station remains an active NBC affiliate and a major local-news outlet in Central Texas.
- 2017
Nexstar ownership begins
[1]Nexstar completes its acquisition of Media General.
- 2014
Media General ownership begins
[1]Media General completes its acquisition of LIN Broadcasting.
- 2009
KNVA evening newscast begins
[1]KXAN starts producing a 9 p.m. newscast for KNVA.
- 2009
Analog transmission ends
[1]KXAN shuts down its analog signal as part of the United States digital television transition.
- 2008
Local news goes high definition
[1]KXAN begins HD local-news broadcasts.
- 1996
Current transmission tower activated
[1]KXAN replaces its earlier tower with a taller structure at the West Austin Antenna Farm.
- 1993
First sweeps victory
[1]The station records its first ratings victory during the February sweeps period.
- 1990
News 36 Firstcast launches
[1]KXAN introduces Austin's first hour-long weekday morning newscast.
- 1987
KXAN-TV name adopted
[1]The station adopts its current call letters.
- 1979
LIN Broadcasting acquisition
[1]LIN Broadcasting purchases the station.
Products and positioning
A locally focused NBC affiliate emphasizing Austin and Central Texas news, weather, traffic, investigative reporting and community service.
Local television news · 1965
KXAN News
The station's core local-news service, covering Austin and surrounding Central Texas communities through scheduled broadcasts, breaking-news reports, weather, traffic, investigations and digital articles.
Local television news · 2009
KXAN News at 9
A 9 p.m. local newscast produced for KNVA and designed to provide an alternative prime-time news service in the Austin market.
Morning television news · 2013
KXAN News on The CW Austin
A weekday morning news extension produced for KNVA, adding local coverage during the 7-to-9 a.m. period.
Brand decisions
2009
Launch of a 9 p.m. newscast on KNVAProduct launchBackground
KXAN sought to broaden its local-news reach and compete with KTBC's established prime-time newscast.
Action taken
KXAN began producing a nightly 9 p.m. newscast for KNVA.
Aftermath
The arrangement expanded KXAN's news presence beyond its own channel.
2008
Retransmission-consent negotiations with cable operatorsOtherBackground
LIN Broadcasting disputed carriage terms with Suddenlink and Time Warner Cable.
Action taken
KXAN was temporarily removed from both cable systems before separate settlements restored carriage.
Aftermath
The disputes highlighted the importance of retransmission-consent revenue and cable distribution to local stations.
1973
Move from channel 42 to channel 36StrategyBackground
The original UHF operation faced coverage limitations across Austin and the Hill Country.
Action taken
The station moved to channel 36, changed its call sign to KTVV and increased transmitter power.
Aftermath
The technical changes expanded the station's effective coverage and established the channel identity later associated with KXAN.
Sources2 sources
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