KETK-TV

Infobox_Broadcast
call_letters = KETK-TV
city =
station_
station_slogan = The News Station
station_branding = KETK 56
analog = 56 (UHF)
digital = 22 (UHF)
other_chs =
affiliations = NBC
NBC Weather Plus (DT2)
network =
founded =
airdate = March 9, 1987
location = Jacksonville/Tyler/Longview, Texas
callsign_meaning = East Texas
former_callsigns =
former_channel_numbers =
owner = Communications Corporation of America
licensee = Comcorp of Tyler License Corporation
sister_stations =
former_affiliations =
effective_radiated_power = 5000 kW (analog)
1000 kW (digital)
HAAT = 482 m (analog)
458.8 m (digital)
class =
facility_id = 55643
coordinates = coord|32|3|42.3|N|95|18|46.6|W|type:landmark_scale:2000
homepage = [http://www.ketknbc.com/ www.ketknbc.com]

KETK is an NBC television affiliate serving the eastern part of the state of Texas. It broadcasts its analog signal on UHF channel 56, which is relayed by low power KETK-LP channel 53 in Lufkin, Texas. It is owned by Communications Corporation of America (ComCorp). KETK also operates Fox network affiliate KFXK, and CW affiliate KCEB, through a local marketing agreement. KETK's transmitter is located near Mount Selman, Texas. KETK 56 WeatherPlus can be seen on its digital station.

History

Originally, Channel 56 was to bear the call letters KTRG, which stood for initials of the original owner and license applicant. Unfortunately, that owner had to file for bankruptcy prior to launching the station. The new buyers would end up getting Channel 56 on the air with the new calls of KETK, amid a few hurdles. The station signed on March 9, 1987 from studios in Jacksonville, Texas and a tower near Mt. Selman between Jacksonville and Tyler. It moved its studios to Tyler in 1993.

KETK can be seen on Dish Network and DirecTV on channel 56 (local channels). KETK can also be seen on Tyler area cable systems, including SuddenLink Communications and Communicom.

KETK has a radio news network that can be heard on several local radio stations. The channel covers news, weather, and sports and touts itself as having the "only high-powered live doppler radar" in the market. As of July 2008 is the solid #2 news product in the Tyler/Longview market. KLTV leads, with over 70,000 households watching its 10 P.M. newscast and KYTX (CBS19) is a distant #3 in local news ratings. [http://www.news-journal.com/money/content/business/stories/06252006doppler.html]

KETK broadcasts the most news of any TV station in the Tyler-Longview market. Newscasts air weekdays from 5am-7am, 11am-noon, and at 5pm, 6pm and 10pm, and weekends from 8am-9am, and at 5pm, and 10pm.

In June 2006, owner ComCorp filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. ComCorp said in a press release viewers and staff would see no changes at the station. The company emerged from bankruptcy in late 2007.

Digital Television

KETK-TV began operating a full power digital television signal on UHF channel 22 on June 17, 2006. The station began High Definition testing on Friday, September 1st, and began broadcasting full HDTV service in 1080i from NBC on Tuesday, September 5th. Three days later (Friday September 8), KETK-DT launched digital subchannel 56.2, with NBC Weather Plus. The service is also currently available on SuddenLink Digital Cable channel 222, which first appeared around the time of the Winter Olympics in February 2006. On February 1, 2008, Longview Cable Television added KETK-DT and NBC Weather Plus on digital cable channels 248 and 249, respectively.

KETK's analog channel, 56, is the highest channel allocation of any NBC affiliate. This will change, however, when the high-band UHF channels (52-69) are eliminated during the transition from analog to digital TV on February 18, 2009. As a result, KETK will move to digital channel 22, though its PSIP Virtual channel will still appear as 56.

Personalities

Current On-Air Talent

KETK56 Anchors
*Neal Barton - 5PM and 6PM Anchor
*Shari Dunn - 5PM and 10PM Anchor
*Joe LePage - 6PM and 10PM Anchor
*Bob Brackeen - Weekday Morning Anchor
*Charlotte Huffman - Weekday Morning Anchor
*Brady Douglas - Weekend Evening Anchor/Reporter
*Jennifer Kielman - Weekend Evening Anchor/Reporter
*Abby Eden - Weekend Morning Anchor/Reporter

Doppler 56 Weather Team
*Scott Chesner - Chief Meteorologist, seen weeknights
*Robert Thornton - Weekday Morning Meteorologist
*Zach Glenn - Weekend Meteorologist

Sports Anchors/Reporters
*Danny Elzner - Sports Director, seen weeknights
*Matt Warner - Sports Anchor, seen weekends

Other News Staff

*Kristy Griffith - Morning Show Producer
*Genevieve Wedholm - East Texas Live Producer
*Phil Kuchinsky - 6pm Producer/Weekend 5pm & 10pm Producer
*Angela Berry - 5pm Producer
*Ash Ayers - 10pm Producer
*John Burnley - Fox Producer
*Lacy Ledford - Assignment Manager
*Albert Belez - Chief Photojournalist
*Mike Lowe - Photojournalist
*Jessica Winfrey - Photojournalist
*Chad Montoya - Photojournalist
*John Gable - Chief Editor
*Adam Heath - Audio Operator
*Tyler Owens - Director
*Collin Mannon - Director

News/Station Presentation

Newscast Titles

*"TV-56 News" (1987-1988)
*"Region 56 News" (1988-1990s)
*"NBC56 News" (2000-2005)
*"KETK 56 News" (2005-present)

tation Slogans

*"The Most Watched" (1995-?)
*"Covering All of East Texas" (2001-2005)
*"The News Station" (2005-present)
*"East Texas, It's in our name, KETK" (2006-present)

ee also

* KETK-LP

External links

* [http://www.ketknbc.com/ KETKNBC.com]
*TVQ|KETK-TV
*BIA|KETK|TV|TV