KCTU-LP

Infobox_Broadcast
call_letters = KCTU-LP
station_
station_slogan = Wichita... and the world
station_branding = "Local 5"
"KCTUiptv"
analog = 5 (VHF)
digital =
affiliations = FamilyNet
AMG Television
founded =
location = Wichita, Kansas
callsign_meaning =
owner = River City Broadcasters, Inc.
former_callsigns = K55FS
former_affiliations = Pax (2001-2005)
UATV (secondary, to 5/2006)
i (2005-2007)
ION Television (2007-2008)
homepage = [http://www.kctu.com www.kctu.com]

KCTU-LP is an independent television station in Wichita, Kansas. It is locally-owned by River City Broadcasters, and broadcasts on VHF channel 5, with no digital signal. The station has affiliations with FamilyNet and AMG Television. The station also produces some local public affairs programming, "Your Hour" (a newsmagazine) and "River City Forum" (a talk show).

From 2001 to 2008, KCTU aired programming from ION Television (as well as the predecessor Pax and i networks); because of the local programs and other network affiliations (including one with Urban America Television before its shutdown in May 2006), the station did not air as much infomercials as most ION affiliates.

KCTU was nominated for a Heartland Emmy Award for Best Dayside Newscast in 2005, reportedly the first such nomination for an English-language low power station in a Neilsen Top 160 market.

On February 1, 1998, KCTU became the first commercial television station in the world to broadcast 24/7 on the internet to reach more viewers. (Source: Wichita Business Journal, 2/16/98)

KCTU vs. Cox

Being a low-powered station, KCTU is not available on Cox cable. According to KCTU, the station originally presented the cable system with a petition from 6000 subscribers and community leaders to carry the station. Cox refused to grant KCTU channel space for free. According to KCTU, Cox increased their lease fee to $70,264 per month. [http://www.kctu.com/AntInstruct.htm] This has led KCTU to encourage Cox subscribers to keep demanding that they pick up the channel, and to watch the station over-the-air and on the internet.

Cox is not obligated to carry KCTU under "must-carry" regulations as they do not currently apply to low-powered stations.

Duopoly

On May 10, 2007, principals of KCTU doing business as "N&H Publishing Corp." announced they were new owners of the "Wichita City Paper". [http://www.bizjournals.com/wichita/stories/2007/05/07/daily22.html?from_rss=1] Planned topics will be similar to those of the local shows: local news, consumer news, religion, and veterans' issues. Formerly in "The Prospector", the local television program guide will now appear in the "Wichita City Paper".

Previous logo

External links

* [http://www.kctu.com Official website]
*TVQ|KCTU