KPLC

KPLC (virtual channel 7) is a television station licensed to Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States, serving southwestern Louisiana as an NBC affiliate. The station is owned by Gray Media, which provides certain services to Fox affiliate KVHP (channel 29) under a shared services agreement (SSA) with owner American Spirit Media.^[1] KPLC maintains studios at 320 Division Street in downtown Lake Charles, while its transmitter is located near Fenton in Allen Parish.^[2] It also carries programming from The CW Plus on its 7.2 subchannel.^[3] KPLC first signed on September 29, 1954, with its inaugural broadcast being Game 1 of the World Series.^[1] Gray Media acquired the station in 2019 as part of its merger with Raycom Media.^[1]

History

Founding and early years

Kenya Power traces its origins to the late 19th century, with early electricity provision in East Africa beginning in 1875 when Seyyid Barghash, Sultan of Zanzibar, acquired a generator to power his palace and nearby streets. This equipment was later purchased in 1908 by Mombasa-based merchant Harrali Esmailjee Jeevanjee, leading to the formation of the Mombasa Electric Power and Lighting Company to supply electricity on the island. In the same year, engineer Clement Hirtzel received an exclusive concession to electrify Nairobi, establishing the Nairobi Power and Lighting Syndicate. On January 6, 1922, these two entities merged to form the East African Power and Lighting Company Limited (EAP&L), marking the official founding of what would become Kenya Power. EAP&L initially focused on urban centers like Nairobi and Mombasa during the colonial era, expanding hydroelectric generation, including settling on the first fall of the Ruiru River in November 1906 as a power source. By the 1930s, EAP&L had grown regionally, acquiring a controlling interest in the Tanganyika Electricity Supply Company Limited (now TANESCO) in 1932 and obtaining generating and distribution licenses in Uganda in 1936. The company exited Uganda in 1948 following the establishment of the Uganda Electricity Board.^[4]

Ownership changes

On February 1, 1954, the Kenya Power Company (KPC) was established as a subsidiary of EAP&L to build a transmission line from Nairobi to Tororo in Uganda, facilitating power import from the Owen Falls Dam. That same year, EAP&L listed its shares on the Nairobi Securities Exchange, becoming one of the exchange's first listed companies. EAP&L divested from Tanzania in 1964 by selling its stake in TANESCO to the Tanzanian government, refocusing operations domestically.^[5] Due to its exclusively Kenyan operations, EAP&L was renamed The Kenya Power and Lighting Company Limited on October 11, 1983. The Government of Kenya has held a majority stake since at least the post-independence period, currently owning 50.1% of ordinary shares, with the remaining 49.9% held by local and foreign investors. In 1997, KPC demerged from KPLC to form the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen). The transmission function was separated in 2008, transferring assets to the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO). The company rebranded to Kenya Power in June 2011 while retaining its legal name as The Kenya Power and Lighting Company Plc. In 2019, it transitioned from a private to public limited company structure. Board governance was restructured in November 2023, with five directors appointed by the government and four elected by minority shareholders.^[5][6]

Key developments and expansions

The Rural Electrification Programme, launched in 1973 through an agreement with the government, marked a shift toward national coverage, extending services beyond urban areas. By the 2023/24 financial year, KPLC had connected 447,251 new customers, surpassing targets, and operated a network of 320,762 km of lines. In 2022, Kenya Power signed a 25-year power purchase agreement with Ethiopia for 200 MW (expandable to 400 MW), starting November 1, 2022, to diversify sources. As of the 2024/25 financial year, the company reported a after-tax profit of KSh 24.47 billion, driven by higher sales, efficiency improvements, and lower costs, with ongoing investments in substations and renewable integration.^[5][7]

Programming

Network affiliations

KPLC has maintained a primary affiliation with NBC since its sign-on in 1954, delivering a wide array of national programming including evening newscasts from NBC Nightly News, primetime scripted series, and live sports coverage such as NFL games through NBC Sports.^[1] This longstanding partnership has positioned KPLC as the primary outlet for NBC content in the Lake Charles market, ensuring viewers access to high-profile events like the Olympics and major awards shows.^[1] In addition to its NBC affiliation, KPLC carries a secondary affiliation with The CW Plus on digital subchannel 7.2, which began in August 2017 following the relocation of CW programming from KVHP.^[8] This subchannel features a mix of syndicated programming, such as dramas and reality series, alongside occasional local promotional inserts to tailor content for the Southwest Louisiana audience.^[9] KPLC also operates under a shared services agreement with Gray Television, its parent company, which facilitates the provision of content and operational support to sister station KVHP (channel 29), an affiliate of Fox, ABC, and Univision.^[10] This arrangement, established after Gray's acquisition of related assets in 2016, enables coordinated programming strategies and resource sharing across the duopoly, enhancing local content delivery without direct ownership of KVHP by American Spirit Media.

Local programming

KPLC produces a range of original local programming that emphasizes community engagement and regional interests in southwest Louisiana. These shows feature content created by station staff, focusing on lifestyle, sports, and public service topics to connect with viewers in the Lake Charles area and surrounding communities.^[11] One of the station's flagship local programs is KPLC Midday, a daily lifestyle show that airs weekdays at 11 a.m. Hosted by Amie Herbert and Mari Wilson, it spotlights southwest Louisiana events, profiles local businesses, explores restaurants, and discusses healthcare topics through interviews and segments. The program aims to promote community vitality by highlighting area happenings and providing practical information for residents.^[12][11] In sports programming, KPLC offers dedicated coverage of local high school football through Touchdown Live, a weekly highlight show that recaps games from southwest Louisiana teams. Airing Friday nights after the 10 p.m. newscast during the football season, it includes scores, key plays, interviews with coaches and players, and analysis of regional matchups, such as jamboree weeks and playoff rounds. Additionally, since the 2023-2024 NBA season, KPLC has broadcast select New Orleans Pelicans games as part of the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network, making professional basketball accessible over-the-air to local viewers and expanding the station's sports offerings.^[13][14][15] Beyond these core shows, KPLC features other local content including weather specials tailored to regional concerns, such as hurricane preparedness guides produced by the First Alert Weather team. The station also covers community events through dedicated segments and calendars, fostering local involvement in festivals, charity drives, and civic activities. Furthermore, KPLC incorporates investigative segments via its partnership with InvestigateTV, a Gray Media initiative that airs in-depth reports on consumer issues, health, and public safety topics relevant to Louisiana audiences. These elements integrate briefly with the station's news schedule to provide seamless community-focused viewing.^[16][17][18]

News operations

News format and schedule

KPLC produces 27 hours of local news programming each week, encompassing a mix of morning, midday, and evening newscasts tailored to the needs of southwest Louisiana viewers.^[2] The flagship morning program, Sunrise, airs from 4:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. on weekdays, providing extended coverage of breaking developments, traffic updates, and community events to start the day. Additional weekday slots include the Midday newscast at 11:30 a.m., followed by the Noon edition, and evening broadcasts at 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 10 p.m., each typically lasting 30 minutes and focusing on timely updates. Weekend programming features abbreviated schedules with newscasts at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Saturdays, and 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Sundays.^[2] The news format prioritizes hyper-local stories from southwest Louisiana, such as regional politics, education, and economic issues, alongside dedicated segments for weather from the First Alert team and local sports coverage. Weather reports incorporate live radar imagery and feeds from multiple Skycams positioned across key locations in the region to deliver real-time storm tracking and forecasts. For extended accessibility, KPLC streams select newscasts and live events through digital platforms like Zeam, enabling viewers to access content beyond traditional broadcast hours. During major events like hurricanes, this infrastructure supports continuous coverage across air and online streams.^[2][19]

On-air staff

Jillian Corder serves as the News Director at KPLC, having joined the station in 2015 as a reporter and anchor before being promoted to assistant news director in 2017, a role she held until 2024.^[20] Among the key anchors, Cynthia Arceneaux has anchored evening newscasts including 7News Live at Five, 7News at Six, and 7News Nightcast for over 27 years.^[21] Rhonda Kitchens co-anchors the 7 News Sunrise morning program, drawing on her extensive experience as a journalist, including prior roles at KBMT and FOX29.^[22] Rob Bocage joined as co-anchor of 7 News Sunrise in July 2025, replacing longtime anchor John Bridges.^[23] Morgan Babineaux anchors the midday newscasts at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m., while also serving as a multimedia journalist with a focus on investigative reporting.^[24] Recent changes to the on-air team include the retirement of veteran anchor Agnes DeRouen in March 2025 after 20 years at KPLC.^[25] In August 2025, Kaitlyn Wadulack joined as weekend sports anchor, bringing experience from previous roles in Virginia.^[26] Devin Cruice started in May 2025 as a multimedia journalist and weekend anchor, covering a range of local stories from his base in Lake Charles.^[27] Notable former staff include John Bridges, who anchored 7 News Sunrise for many years before retiring in 2025, and environmental reporter Theresa Schmidt, who retired in July 2025 after 47 years of service to Southwest Louisiana.^[23][28]

Awards and recognition

In 2025, KPLC was named Small Market Station of the Year by the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters (LAB) and won seven Prestige Awards, including Multimedia Journalist of the Year for Stephanie Obediku, Reporter of the Year for Morgan Babineaux, Best Series/Investigative Reporting, and others recognizing journalistic excellence.^[29] KPLC has received multiple honors from the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters (LAB) for its journalistic excellence. In 2024, the station was named Small Market Station of the Year and won a total of seven LAB Prestige Awards, recognizing outstanding achievements in broadcasting.^[30] Specific accolades included Best Newscast for 7News at 6, Best Use of Digital Media for 7News Digital, Best Documentary for Murders at KK’s Corner, Best Sports Show for 7Sports, and Breaking News Coverage for the Southwest Louisiana Wildfire Coverage.^[30] Additionally, longtime meteorologist Ben Terry was inducted into the LAB Hall of Fame for his contributions to weather reporting and community service.^[30] In 2022, KPLC earned four LAB Prestige Awards, highlighting its innovative programming and digital engagement.^[31] Among these were Best Sports Show for Touchdown Live, the station's high school football recap program, and Best Use of Digital Media for its TikTok content strategy.^[31] The station also received Multimedia Journalist of the Year for Andrea Robinson and Best Weathercast for Ben Terry.^[31] In 2025, retired KPLC journalist Theresa Schmidt was honored with the Coastal Stewardship Award from the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana (CRCL) for her 47-year career focused on environmental reporting.^[32] Schmidt's work, which covered topics such as coastal erosion, dune protection, and impacts on local shrimpers, was recognized for informing the public and driving conservation efforts along Louisiana's coast.^[32] She retired from KPLC on July 7, 2025, after 47 years of service.^[28]

Technical information

Subchannels

KPLC broadcasts six digital subchannels as part of its over-the-air signal on virtual channel 7.^[33] The primary subchannel, 7.1, carries KPLC's main NBC affiliation in high definition at 1080i resolution with Dolby Digital 5.1 audio.^[33] Subchannel 7.2 airs The CW Plus affiliation in 720p high definition with stereo audio.^[33] The remaining subchannels are standard definition multicast services: 7.3 features Bounce TV in 480i widescreen with stereo audio; 7.4 carries Grit in 480i widescreen with stereo audio; 7.5 broadcasts Dabl in 480i widescreen with stereo audio; and 7.6 provides ION Mystery in 480i widescreen with stereo audio.^[33]

Analog-to-digital conversion

KPLC, the NBC affiliate in Lake Charles, Louisiana, began pre-transition digital broadcasting on VHF channel 8 in 2004, while continuing to operate its analog signal on VHF channel 7.^[1] This initial digital launch allowed for testing and gradual implementation of high-definition programming alongside the legacy analog service.^[34] The station's digital signal used virtual channel 7.1 via PSIP mapping to maintain continuity with its longtime analog channel number for viewer familiarity.^[34] As part of the national shift to digital television, KPLC completed its full-power analog-to-digital conversion on June 12, 2009, ceasing analog broadcasts at 11:15 a.m. local time.^[35] This date aligned with the deadline established by the DTV Delay Act, which postponed the original February 17, 2009, transition to provide additional preparation time for consumers and broadcasters.^[36] Following the shutdown, KPLC's digital operations continued on VHF channel 8, with viewers required to rescan their receivers to access the signal.^[35] In anticipation of the conversion, KPLC conducted extensive viewer education campaigns from 2008 through early 2009, fulfilling FCC requirements under Form 388 quarterly reports.^[34] These efforts included airing over 440 public service announcements (PSAs) in the second quarter of 2008 alone, with 298 nationally produced spots tagged locally and 148 original local productions, alongside 330 crawls, snipes, and tickers.^[34] The station broadcast four 30-minute informational programs in May and June 2008, produced three news packages, and created five video presentations for community distribution.^[34] By the third quarter, efforts intensified with 320 additional PSAs, 355 crawls, and ten 30-minute specials, complemented by a dedicated DTV webpage featuring stories and resources, as well as speaking engagements at local groups like the Kiwanis Club.^[37] These initiatives, including a 100-day countdown starting November 10, 2008, aimed to inform Southwest Louisiana households about converter boxes, antenna adjustments, and the benefits of digital broadcasting.^[34]

Broadcast facilities and translators

KPLC's primary broadcast transmitter is situated near Fenton, Louisiana, at coordinates 30°23'46.7"N 93°0'3.5"W, with an antenna height of 1,476 feet above ground level. This facility enables over-the-air transmission on VHF channel 7 at an effective radiated power of 62 kW, delivering a signal contour that spans approximately 74.7 miles and covers about 17,547 square miles. The coverage area encompasses southwest Louisiana, including Calcasieu, Beauregard, and Jefferson Davis parishes, as well as portions of east Texas near the border, serving an estimated population of 1,337,021.^[38][39] The station's studio facilities are located at 320 Division Street in downtown Lake Charles, Louisiana, a site that has housed operations since the mid-20th century. Following significant damage from Hurricane Laura in August 2020, when a 400-foot tower collapsed onto the building, Gray Television invested in reinforcements and a full rebuild to enhance structural resilience and create a more secure workspace. The upgraded studio was unveiled in September 2025 during celebrations of KPLC's 70th anniversary, ensuring continued broadcast capabilities for the region.^[40][41] To improve signal reach in underserved rural zones, KPLC operates two low-power digital translators: KNGC-LD on UHF channel 27 in Iowa, Louisiana, and KGCH-LD on UHF channel 32 serving western Calcasieu Parish between Starks and Vinton. These translators, launched in 2021, rebroadcast KPLC's primary programming to bridge coverage gaps in remote areas of southwest Louisiana.^[38] As part of the Federal Communications Commission's 2017 spectrum incentive auction repack, KPLC was assigned VHF channel 7, with the transition completed by 2019 while preserving full-power operations without site relocation. This adjustment ensured minimal disruption to the station's VHF service, which continues to provide robust analog-era compatible digital broadcasting across its footprint.^[38]