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KMCC (channel 34), branded The Spot Vegas 34, is an independent television station licensed to Laughlin, Nevada, United States, serving the Las Vegas area. It is owned by the E. W. Scripps Company alongside ABC affiliate KTNV-TV (channel 13). The two stations share studios on South Valley View Boulevard in the nearby unincorporated community of Paradise (though with a Las Vegas mailing address). KMCC uses a distributed transmission system, with the main transmitter located near Dolan Springs, Arizona, and a secondary transmitter at the KTNV studios.

Key Information

Channel 34 was originally intended to be built at Lake Havasu City, Arizona. However, the original permittee, Meridian Communications Company, had the channel reallocated to Laughlin in order to allow it to broadcast NBC programming, increase its service area, and overcome various technical restrictions. The station began broadcasting in August 2003 and was soon after sold to Cranston II LLC, which used it to broadcast Spanish-language programming from a series of services: TeleFórmula, Multimedios Televisión, Mega TV, VasalloVision, and MundoFox/MundoMax. Entravision Communications acquired KMCC in 2017 and switched its programming source to Azteca América.

Ion Media acquired KMCC in early 2020 and was in turn acquired by the E. W. Scripps Company. In 2023, Ion programming moved to a subchannel, and the station became a new English-language independent station under the name Vegas 34. This coincided with Scripps obtaining the broadcast rights to Vegas Golden Knights hockey, which aired on KMCC beginning in the 2023–24 season.

History

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On May 14, 1996, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a construction permit to Meridian Communications Company (later Mojave Broadcasting Company) for a full power television station on UHF channel 34 to serve Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Its original call letters were to be KAUE, adopted in February 1997, but changed to KMCC a month later.

In July 1996, while preparing to build the station, Mojave Broadcasting determined that the proposed transmitter location was inadequate for a full-power television operation and that the alternate site near Oatman, Arizona, could not provide city-grade service to Lake Havasu City due to terrain. In early 1999, the company requested to move the station and both the analog and digital allotments to Laughlin, Nevada, with the transmitter at the Oatman site. It later modified its proposal to specify a transmitter in Laughlin, allowing it to secure an affiliation with NBC, since the new location would not interfere with Las Vegas NBC station KVBC (channel 3, now KSNV); the children of James Rogers, chairman of KVBC owner Sunbelt Communications Company, owned Mojave Broadcasting, and Sunbelt had signed a time brokerage agreement with KMCC.

The FCC formally granted the request in June 2000,[2] and Mojave Broadcasting began building the station in Laughlin. The FCC granted a construction permit for a digital companion channel, UHF 32, on January 15, 2002, and granted special temporary authority (STA) on April 6, 2004, to broadcast in digital at reduced power from the analog transmitter location.

The analog station signed on August 21, 2003, as a satellite of KVBC, and was granted a license on May 28, 2004. The arrangement was temporary, as before the station was licensed, Cranston II LLC had agreed to buy KMCC from Mojave Broadcasting. The sale was approved by the FCC in October 2004 and consummated in July 2005. Upon taking ownership, Cranston changed the station to Spanish-language programming from TeleFórmula, the cable news arm of Grupo Fórmula. In March 2006, equipment failure forced the station to reduce power significantly; in November, it switched to Multimedios Television.

KMCC had a construction permit to broadcast on UHF channel 32 from a transmitter location approximately 40 kilometers (25 mi) NNE of the analog transmitter location. The site, located near Dolan Springs, Arizona, is over 1,200 meters (3,937 ft) higher in elevation than the analog site, so while the analog station served the Mohave Valley from Bullhead City, Arizona, and Laughlin down to Needles, California, the digital station, when fully built and operational, would not only serve Laughlin and the Colorado River Valley, but most of central Mohave County, Arizona, and would reach beyond Las Vegas.[3] As of October 2017, however, the station was broadcasting on STA from the analog site at 15 kW with coverage approximately that of the analog signal. Cranston filed a request to extend the STA until January 1, 2007.

Logo as MundoFox, 2012–2015

On January 26, 2009, KMCC switched to Mega TV, an independent television network based in Florida. The station again changed affiliations on January 1, 2010, affiliating with VasalloVision.[4] KMCC then became an affiliate of MundoFox (later MundoMax) when it launched on August 13, 2012.[5] In 2015, KMCC aired a music video format 24/7 called TheCoolTV on digital channels 32.2, 32.3 with some local programming. On December 1, 2016, with the demise of MundoMax, KMCC switched to Luken Communications' The Action Channel and Heartland networks.[6]

Entravision Communications agreed to purchase KMCC for $2.75 million on March 1, 2017; the sale created a duopoly with Univision affiliate KINC.[7] The sale was completed on January 17, 2018.[8] In April 2018, KMCC became an Azteca América affiliate.[9]

On January 27, 2020, it was announced that Ion Media would purchase KMCC from Entravision for an undisclosed price.[10] The sale was completed on April 3.[11] Because of this, sometime in February 2020, Ion Plus replaced Azteca as the station's main affiliate. On September 24, 2020, the Cincinnati-based E. W. Scripps Company (owners of ABC affiliate KTNV-TV, channel 13) announced that it would purchase Ion Media for $2.65 billion, with financing from Berkshire Hathaway.[12][13][14] After the sale was finalize, it was announced that Ion Plus, Qubo, and Shop Ion would cease operations in February 2021 and the station switched to an Ion Television affiliate.

Logo as Vegas 34, used from 2023 to 2025.

On May 4, 2023, the Vegas Golden Knights announced that KMCC, through the E. W. Scripps Company's Scripps Sports arm, would become the team's new television partner, replacing AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain after the latter's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, announced its intentions to exit the RSN business. Along with broadcasting all Golden Knights non-exclusive games over the air in partnership with a network of stations across the Golden Knights' broadcast territory, KMCC rebranded as Vegas 34 and became independent on August 14, 2023,[15] with Ion programming moving to the station's second subchannel.[16]

On March 13, 2025, Scripps Sports announced a deal with the Las Vegas Aces of the WNBA which would move their games from KVVU to KMCC.[17]

Local programming

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The station carries all regional Vegas Golden Knights games beginning in the 2023–24 NHL season and airs ancillary programming such as Knight Life.[15] KMCC also simulcasts select programming from Scripps News and airs games from the Henderson Silver Knights, a minor league affiliate of the Golden Knights.[18] It also carries ABC programming in lieu of KTNV when required for local breaking news and sports preemptions. Starting in the 2025 WNBA season, the station will also air regional Las Vegas Aces games along with a weekly program titled "In the Paint".

Newscasts

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KMCC airs four hours of local news each weekday, simulcasting programming from sister station KTNV-TV.

Subchannels

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Subchannels of KMCC[19]
Channel Res. Aspect Short name Programming
34.1 720p 16:9 Vegas34 Independent
34.2 480i ION Ion Television
34.3 CourtTV Court TV
34.4 BUSTED Busted
34.5 IONPlus Ion Plus[20]
34.6 Bounce Bounce TV
34.7 GameSho Game Show Central
34.8 HSN HSN

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
The is a socio-cultural and established in 1981 as the official wing of the , focused on promoting the welfare, cultural preservation, and community development of Keralite , particularly Muslims, across the globe with a strong emphasis on the Gulf region. Founded under the leadership of Umar Bafakhy Thangal, KMCC operates beyond religious, , or political boundaries to provide , , and educational support to and their families in . Its core mission includes delivering humanitarian aid, such as medical assistance, housing construction for the destitute, and disaster , having disbursed crores of rupees in support over the decades. The organization maintains a network of chapters in major expatriate hubs, including (with sub-units in , , and ), (established as early as 1968), the (registered as a non-profit in ), the , , and the , facilitating everything from emergency funds and to cultural festivals and inter-faith events. KMCC's activities encompass a wide range of initiatives, such as camps, educational seminars, programs, and women's welfare projects, all aimed at fostering unity and social upliftment among the . In addition to direct aid, it organizes religious tours, sports events, and infrastructure development in , including the establishment of (C.H.) centers to address rural needs. Through and volunteer networks, KMCC has expanded its reach to support migrant workers' families regardless of background, emphasizing career guidance, visa assistance, and relocation services for those in . Its global footprint underscores a commitment to preservation alongside practical welfare, making it a vital pillar for over a million Keralite expatriates.

History

Launch and early operations

In 1996, the (FCC) issued a construction permit to Meridian Communications Company for a full-power UHF television station on channel 34 in . However, to better serve the underserved community of , the company petitioned to reallocate the channel, demonstrating that the move would provide the area's first local television service to approximately 98,000 people across 10,873 square kilometers along the . The FCC approved the reallotment effective August 14, 2000, shifting channel 34 (and its companion digital channel 32) to Laughlin as the new community of license. Construction proceeded under Mojave Broadcasting Company, the successor to Meridian Communications, with the station launching as KMCC on August 21, 2003. Initially operating as an analog station on UHF channel 34 with an () of 416 kW from a transmitter near , KMCC served as a temporary satellite of Las Vegas NBC affiliate KVBC (now ), rebroadcasting its programming to extend network coverage. The setup included local insertions tailored to the encompassing ; ; and , addressing the unique needs of these communities previously reliant on distant signals. The FCC issued a license to cover for the analog facility on May 28, 2004, marking the completion of initial construction requirements. By mid-2005, following the activation of its on UHF channel 32 with a 1,000 kW and a of approximately 607 meters, KMCC transitioned to independent status, discontinuing the full-time satellite role with KVBC. This shift allowed the station to prioritize regional content, including community-focused programming such as briefs, event coverage, and features highlighting the economic and cultural ties of the Tri-State region, while filling airtime with syndicated fare. Key early milestones included the digital sign-on on , , which expanded coverage to the broader Las Vegas market, and initial tests demonstrating reliable signal propagation across the rugged terrain bordering and . Throughout its first decade, KMCC maintained a focus on bridging programming gaps for rural viewers, operating without major network affiliation to emphasize hyper-local relevance.

Ownership changes and rebranding

In July 2005, following (FCC) approval in October 2004, Cranston II LLC acquired KMCC from Mojave Broadcasting Co. for $4 million, marking the station's first major ownership transition after its launch. This change prompted a strategic pivot in programming toward Spanish-language content to serve the growing population in the Las Vegas area, with affiliations including TeleFórmula initially and a shift to Multimedios Televisión beginning in November 2006. On March 1, 2017, Entravision Communications Corporation agreed to purchase KMCC from Cranston Acquisition LLC (a successor entity) for $2.75 million, a deal consummated on January 17, 2018. The acquisition strengthened Entravision's presence in the Las Vegas designated market area (DMA), forming a duopoly with its Univision affiliate KINC and further emphasizing Hispanic-targeted programming, including telenovelas, news, and cultural content tailored to the local demographic, with an Azteca América affiliation starting in April 2018. Ion Media Partners announced its acquisition of from Entravision on January 27, 2020, for an undisclosed sum, with the transaction completed on April 3, 2020, following FCC consent. As part of a broader expansion strategy to cover the 39th-largest U.S. TV market, Ion integrated the station into its national network, replacing much of the prior Spanish-language focus with syndicated entertainment and drama series to reach a wider over-the-air audience in . In September 2020, the E. W. Scripps Company agreed to acquire Ion Media—including KMCC—for $2.65 billion in a deal finalized on January 7, 2021, after regulatory approvals, including FCC review. This transaction positioned KMCC within Scripps' growing portfolio of local and national broadcast assets, maintaining Ion Television affiliation on the main channel while enabling future programming flexibility. To capitalize on Las Vegas market growth and secure over-the-air rights to Vegas Golden Knights NHL games starting in the 2023-24 season, Scripps rebranded KMCC as an in 2023 for $15 million in associated investments and operational shifts, with FCC approvals facilitating the affiliation changes. The rebranding to "The Spot - Vegas 34" launched on August 30, 2023, relocating Ion programming to a and introducing a mix of , syndicated shows, and to attract a diverse English-language audience beyond prior niche focuses. In March 2025, announced a multiyear agreement with the Las Vegas Aces to broadcast the team's WNBA regular-season games on KMCC (Vegas 34) starting in the 2025 season, further expanding the station's local coverage.

Facilities and technical information

Ownership and studios

KMCC is owned by , which acquired the station as part of its purchase of in January 2021. The acquisition integrated KMCC into Scripps' broader portfolio of over 60 local television stations across more than 40 markets, focusing on news, , and content. In Nevada, Scripps' holdings include KMCC and its duopoly partner, ABC affiliate (channel 13), enabling shared operational efficiencies in the Las Vegas market. The station operates from shared studios with at 3355 South Valley View Boulevard in , a of . This facility supports production for local news, sports broadcasts, and other programming, with integrated resources such as newsrooms and technical operations that allow KMCC to leverage KTNV's established infrastructure for content creation and distribution. Management of KMCC falls under the oversight of John Cook, who serves as vice president and general manager for both KMCC and , guiding strategic decisions on programming and local media initiatives.

Transmitter and signal coverage

The secondary transmitter for KMCC is located in , at coordinates 36°07′44.8″N 115°11′28.4″W. This site supports the station's distributed transmission system (DTS) and provides the primary over-the-air signal for the Las Vegas Valley. The licensed () at this location is 200 kW for , with a (HAAT) of 300 feet (91 meters). The signal from the secondary transmitter delivers robust coverage across the Las Vegas Valley, reaching an estimated core area of over 2 million viewer households. It extends eastward to , and , while also serving portions of , ensuring reliable reception in urban and suburban areas of the region. Signal strength maps indicate strong city-grade coverage (≥50 dBμ) throughout , with fringe reception up to approximately 60 miles from the tower. In March 2023, the FCC granted KMCC a license to cover modifications to its secondary transmitter, relocating it from Black Mountain to a new site in , to enhance signal reliability and expand coverage in the Las Vegas following the station's relaunch as an independent outlet. This approval addressed prior limitations in urban penetration and aligned with post-digital transition requirements under FCC rules for DTS operations. No further major FCC modifications have been recorded since the 2023 grant.

Digital subchannels

KMCC operates eight digital subchannels, broadcast over 34 via its physical UHF channel 32 from a transmitter near . The main subchannel, 34.1, airs in high definition as the independent station branded "The Spot Vegas 34," while the remaining subchannels transmit in standard definition . All subchannels maintain a 16:9 and utilize 2.0 audio. The following table outlines the current digital subchannel lineup, including video bitrates measured as of June 2024:
Virtual ChannelResolutionNetwork/AffiliateNicknameVideo Bitrate
34.1IndependentThe Spot Vegas 343.95 Mbps
34.2480i5.7 Mbps
34.3480i1.2 Mbps
34.4480iBusted!0.95 Mbps
34.5480iDefy TV(formerly )1.3 Mbps
34.6480i1.45 Mbps
34.7480i1.15 Mbps
34.8480i1.05 Mbps
Prior to 2020, KMCC's primary programming was affiliated with on 34.1, with Action Channel on 34.2, following its acquisition by Entravision Communications in 2017. In January 2020, acquired the station from Entravision, integrating it into the network on the main channel and launching additional subchannels featuring Ion's multicast offerings, such as (later rebranded) and , to expand local carriage of syndicated content. Significant changes occurred in August 2023 under owner , which had acquired in 2021. The main channel 34.1 relaunched as the independent "Vegas 34" to accommodate local sports and news programming, prompting to shift to 34.2 and a reshuffling of other subchannels, including moving to 34.6. This evolution reflected Scripps' strategy to prioritize over-the-air local content while retaining Ion-affiliated multicast services on secondary streams. The station rebranded to "The Spot Vegas 34" on March 1, 2025. No major subchannel additions or removals have been reported since, though networks like rebranded to Defy TV in 2021 across affiliated stations.

Programming

Main channel content

Since its rebranding to an in August 2023 and further update to - Vegas 34 in March 2025, KMCC's primary channel (34.1), known as - Vegas 34, has featured a mix of syndicated shows, movies, and lifestyle programming designed for broad appeal in the Las Vegas area. The typical weekday schedule begins with morning talk shows, including airing at 9:00 a.m., transitioning into daytime slots with lifestyle segments like Morning Blend at 1:00 p.m. and additional syndicated talk programming such as at 4:00 p.m. Evenings generally include feature films and sitcom reruns, while late-night hours offer further reruns to fill out the lineup. Following the rebrand, notable syndicated additions to the The Spot - Vegas 34 lineup have included classic comedies like The Goldbergs and , enhancing the station's entertainment-focused identity. This programming targets viewers across and nearby states, with an emphasis on content that ties into Las Vegas's entertainment and tourism sectors through lifestyle and showbiz-oriented shows.

Local productions and sports broadcasts

KMCC, branded as - Vegas 34, serves as the primary broadcast home for the of the National Hockey League (NHL), airing up to 70 games per season under a multi-year agreement with that began with the 2023-24 season. This deal includes preseason, regular-season, and playoff games not subject to national exclusivity, making Golden Knights hockey accessible over-the-air, on cable, and via satellite throughout the Las Vegas market. In March 2025, announced a multi-year partnership with the Las Vegas Aces of the (WNBA), designating The Spot - Vegas 34 as the official local broadcaster starting with the 2025 regular season. The agreement covers 33 non-nationally exclusive regular-season games in the 2025 season, providing free access to Aces matchups for viewers in and surrounding areas. Sports telecasts on KMCC leverage production resources from sister station KTNV, including shared studios and technical facilities in , to deliver high-quality broadcasts with local announcers such as play-by-play voice Dave Goucher and color commentator for Golden Knights games. Pre- and post-game shows feature Vegas-based analysts and hosts, offering analysis, interviews, and highlights tailored to the local audience. Beyond sports, KMCC produces original local programming focused on Las Vegas lifestyles and community engagement, including the morning lifestyle show Good Morning Las Vegas, which airs daily and covers topics such as local events, health tips, and resident spotlights. The station also provides coverage of community events and Vegas-specific features, such as previews of entertainment happenings, dining recommendations, and cultural showcases, emphasizing the city's vibrant and local scene.

Syndicated and network programming

KMCC's digital subchannels provide a diverse array of syndicated and network programming, leveraging multicast capabilities to offer specialized content to viewers in the Las Vegas market. Subchannel 34.2 is affiliated with Ion Television, featuring a lineup of drama series such as Blue Bloods and Criminal Minds, alongside feature films, designed for broad family entertainment during off-peak hours. Subchannel 34.3 carries Court TV, which focuses on live gavel-to-gavel coverage of high-profile true crime trials and legal analysis programs like Opening Statements with Vinnie Politan. These networks prioritize evergreen, engaging content to attract cord-cutters and over-the-air audiences seeking alternative viewing options beyond local broadcasts. Additional subchannels expand KMCC's offerings with targeted demographics in mind. Subchannel 34.6 airs , a network dedicated to African-American focused programming, including classic films like and sitcom reruns such as , appealing to cultural representation in entertainment. Subchannel 34.7 features , broadcasting crime dramas and mystery series. Rounding out the lineup, subchannel 34.8 is home to (Home Shopping Network), which delivers live shopping segments for home goods, fashion, and jewelry, catering to direct-response retail viewers. Other subchannels, such as 34.4 (Busted!) with reality crime shows and 34.5 (Defy TV) with lifestyle and drama series, further diversify the multicast bouquet. On the main channel (34.1), syndicated programming fills daytime and fringe hours with popular talk and court shows, complementing its independent format. Daytime slots include , a musical variety talk program hosted by , and , featuring celebrity interviews and lifestyle topics. Courtroom dramas like and Justice for All with Cristina Perez air in late afternoon, resolving real-life disputes in an adjudicative style. Evening and late-night blocks often feature reruns of classic Westerns such as and modern sitcoms like The Goldbergs and , alongside procedural dramas like Suits, creating accessible, repeat-viewing content for general audiences. Following Media's 2020 acquisition of KMCC from Entravision Communications, the station adopted a programming philosophy centered on cost-effective, high-reach content across subchannels to serve the expansive Designated Market Area, which ranks as the 40th largest in the U.S. with 896,460 television households as of the 2024-2025 season. This strategy emphasizes syndicated series, movies, and niche networks like and Bounce to minimize production costs while maximizing advertiser appeal through broad demographic coverage, including family-oriented and multicultural programming. The approach aligns with Ion's national model of utilizing digital subchannels for evergreen content that sustains viewership without heavy reliance on original local production.

References

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