KNAT-TV

Infobox_Broadcast
call_letters = KNAT-TV
city =
station_
station_slogan =
station_branding =
analog = 23 (UHF)
digital = 24 (UHF)
other_chs =
affiliations = TBN
network =
founded =
airdate = 1975 [The "Broadcasting and Cable Yearbook" says October 17, while the "Television and Cable Factbook" says August 10.]
location = Albuquerque, New Mexico
callsign_meaning =
former_callsigns = KMXN-TV (1975-1980)
KLKK-TV (1980-1982)
KNAT (1982-200?)
former_channel_numbers =
owner = Trinity Broadcasting Network, Inc.
licensee =
sister_stations =
former_affiliations = independent (1975-1985)
silent (1985-1986)
effective_radiated_power = 1200 kW (analog)
200 kW (digital)
HAAT = 1259 m (analog)
1243 m (digital)
class =
facility_id = 993
coordinates = coord|35|12|54|N|106|27|4|W|type:landmark_scale:2000
homepage = [http://www.tbn.org/ www.tbn.org]

KNAT-TV is a religious television station in Albuquerque, New Mexico, broadcasting locally on channel 23 as an affiliate of TBN. Founded October 17,1975, the station is owned by Trinity Broadcasting Network. The station does air a small amount of public affairs local programming.

Trinity Broadcasting runs a variety of Christian programs ranging such as church services, sermons, variety shows, teaching programs, Christian films, children's programming, and contemporary Christian music. KNAT 23 is one of three full-time Christian television stations in the Albuquerque market.

History

Channel 23 began operation as KMXN-TV in 1975 as a Spanish language television station most of the day. They ran programming from the Spanish International Network (now Univision) daily in the afternoon and evening hours. In the mornings they ran religious programs in English.

In the Spring of 1978 New Mexico Visions purchased KMXN and changed the format to English speaking general entertainment making it a traditional independent. The station ran cartoons from 7-9 a.m./3-5 p.m. weekdays, religious shows 9 a.m. to Noon weekdays, sitcoms/westerns/dramas/movies from noon to 3 p.m. weekdays, classic sitcoms or drama shows 5 to 7 p.m., movies from 7-9 p.m. weekdays, and a blend of dramas and westerns late at night. On weekends the station ran more movies and drama shows along with a lot of religious shows Sunday morning.

KMXN changed its call to KLKK-TV in 1980.

In 1981 KGSW 14 signed on and KLKK began to have financial difficulties. In the Summer of 1982 KLKK 23 was sold to Carson Broadcasting which was owned by a group of celebrities headed by Johnny Carson. Carson Broadcasting also owned KVVU Channel 5 in Henderson, Nevada. The station was renamed KNAT.

KNAT 23 dropped all the religious programs and began to add more recent off network sitcoms and more recent movies. The religious shows would move to KGSW 14 and a new sign on station 2 KSAF. While 23 KNAT had good ratings the station continued to lose money.

In April 1985 Carson Broadcasting decided that they could no longer put money into KNAT's operation. At the same time they sold 5 KVVU Las Vegas/Henderson to Meredith which still owns them today. They put KNAT up for sale and sold the programming to Channel 2 KSAF which became known as KNMZ that same year. KNAT then began airing Music Videos 24/7 (They had been airing music videos on the overnights since 1983). In mid-May 1985, Carson Broadcasting shut down KNAT altogether after being unable to sell the station.

The station however stayed up for sale though they were off the air and in the Fall of 1985 Trinity Broadcasting purchased KNAT. By the Winter of 1986 KNAT was back on the air running Trinity Broadcasting Network programming 24/7.

External links

* [http://www.tbn.org/ Official site]
*TVQ|KNAT-TV
*BIA|KNAT|TV|TV

References