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KASA-TV (channel 2) is a television station licensed to Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States, serving the Albuquerque area and most of the state as an owned-and-operated station of the Spanish-language network Telemundo. KASA-TV's studios are located on Monroe Street NE in Albuquerque; its transmitter is located on Sandia Crest, with translators in much of the state and southwestern Colorado extending its signal and on subchannels of two high-power stations, KTEL-TV in Carlsbad and KUPT in Hobbs.

Key Information

Channel 2 in Santa Fe was established in 1983 and struggled for its first decade on air as an independent station. It went silent in 1992 during a merger with KGSW-TV, which resulted in 1993 in its relaunch as Fox affiliate KASA-TV. KASA remained the Albuquerque market's Fox affiliate until a merger led to Fox's move to a subchannel of KRQE; at that time, channel 2 and its translators were sold to Lubbock, Texas-based Ramar Communications and switched to Telemundo, which had previously aired on that company's KTEL-CD. Telemundo's parent company, NBCUniversal, purchased all of Ramar's stations in New Mexico in 2021.

History

[edit]

Early years

[edit]

The New Mexico Media Co., a group of Santa Fe businessmen backed by California industrialist John J. Pollon,[2] applied on September 10, 1977, for a new television station to serve Santa Fe on very high frequency (VHF) channel 11 (amended two months later to specify channel 2).[3] Both the New Mexico Media application and the other channel 11 bid, which became KCHF, were contested by the Albuquerque television stations for specifying the use of Sandia Crest as the transmitter site, which they contended would have meant an insufficient signal over the city of license.[4]

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved the application on May 10, 1982.[3] By that time, the application had been amended to change the transmitter site to No Name Peak in the Jemez Mountains.[5][6]

Channel 2 came to the air on October 31, 1983[7]—a day later than announced,[8] prompting the station to apologize on local radio stations and claim it was "a day late but ... not a single program short"[9]—as independent station KSAF-TV. Based in a new studio building at the corner of St. Francis and St. Michael's Drive in Santa Fe, channel 2 promised a strong signal for Santa Fe and Albuquerque, as well as the first live newscast for New Mexico's capital city;[10] the 9 p.m. newscast was scrapped just three months after launch, with the general manager calling it a "drain" on the station's resources as a startup operation.[11][12]

In October 1984, a California-based investor group bought into KSAF-TV.[13] The new ownership upgraded the programming by acquiring 600 films from a financially troubled KNAT-TV; in order to avoid confusion with radio station KAFE and "KSFE-TV", a former cable channel in Santa Fe, the call letters were changed to KNMZ-TV (stylized as "KNM2") on March 1, 1985.[14][15]

The station filed for bankruptcy in August 1987, citing $11 million in assets but $15 million in liabilities.[16] Coronado Communications Company, a subsidiary of the Las Vegas–based Sunbelt Communications Company, purchased channel 2 for $3 million in early 1988.[17] Founding investor Pollon bought back the studio building, and KNMZ-TV moved its Santa Fe offices to smaller quarters on Calle Nava while shifting the bulk of operations to Albuquerque.[18][19] Coronado also laid off 17 staffers to cut back to the "bare bones" necessary for operation.[20]

Coronado made its own repositioning of channel 2 in 1989, changing the call letters to KKTO-TV.[19]

Merger with KGSW-TV and Fox era

[edit]
A mountaintop with many broadcast towers
Channel 2 moved to Sandia Crest in the merger of KGSW-TV's stronger programming and ownership with KKTO-TV's channel 2 allocation in 1993.
Further information: KGSW-TV

By mid-1992, KKTO-TV was economically struggling: Coronado had lost $6.6 million in its ownership of the station, and it warned that it could not continue to operate KKTO-TV much longer.[21] That July, the Providence Journal Company (ProJo)—owners of KGSW-TV (channel 14), New Mexico's Fox affiliate—reached a deal to purchase KKTO from Coronado. The deal was made with the express purpose of moving the Fox affiliation and channel 14 programming to the VHF station, which in turn would move its transmitter to Sandia Crest in a $1 million upgrade.[22][23] ProJo immediately took control of KKTO under a local marketing agreement, firing its 18 staff and rehiring 10.[23]

Programming from KKTO ceased at midnight on September 6, 1992.[24] That same week, the Associated Press news agency had sued the station for $78,700 in unpaid wire service bills.[25] The FCC approved the ProJo purchase of KKTO in January 1993, along with new KASA-TV call letters for channel 2.[26] On April 5, 1993, at 6 p.m., KGSW-TV signed off channel 14, and KASA-TV began telecasting on channel 2.[27]

In 1997, Belo acquired the Providence Journal Company. However, it found that there was no synergy between KASA-TV and its clusters of stations in Texas, the Pacific Northwest, and the mid-Atlantic states and put the station up for sale, along with KHNL in Honolulu, Hawaii, in May 1999.[28] The Albuquerque and Honolulu operations were purchased by Raycom Media for $88 million.[29] Under Raycom ownership, KASA began airing a 9 p.m. local newscast produced for it by KOB-TV in November 2000.[30]

After purchasing the Liberty Corporation in August 2005, Raycom announced its intent to sell KASA and several other stations. On July 27, 2006, Raycom announced that LIN TV, owner of CBS affiliate KRQE, would purchase KASA for $55 million and take over operations at the end of August.[31] The creation of a television duopoly involving two "Big Four" affiliates—typically the four highest-rated stations in a market, which cannot be commonly owned—was allowed since KASA was New Mexico's fifth-rated station at the time. The deal also saw KASA move out of its Albuquerque studio site—which had been used by KGSW-TV since its start—to KRQE's facility and switch from airing a 9 p.m. newscast produced by KOB to one from KRQE.[32]

The Telemundo era

[edit]

While LIN was able to retain both KRQE and KASA in its merger with Media General in 2014, this would prove not to be the case in 2016 when Nexstar Broadcasting Group reached a deal to purchase Media General for $4.6 billion. KASA and KRQE were both ranked among the top four stations in the market during the November 2015 sweeps period, which meant that the company had to divest one of the two stations to comply with the FCC duopoly rules.[33] On June 30, 2016, it agreed to sell KASA-TV and associated translators to Ramar Communications, owner of Telemundo affiliate KTEL-CD (channel 15), Movies! affiliate KUPT-LD (channel 16), and MeTV affiliate KRTN-LD (channel 33), for $2.5 million.[34]

On January 18, 2017, Fox programming moved to a subchannel of KRQE, as Ramar did not acquire the Fox affiliation in the transaction. KASA switched to Telemundo; Ramar also converted its three existing full-power stations in the market—KRTN-TV (channel 33) in Durango, Colorado, KTEL-TV (channel 25) in Carlsbad, and KUPT (channel 29) in Hobbs—into satellites of KASA.[34][35]

Ramar announced the sale of its entire Albuquerque-market television operation—KASA-TV, the other three full-power stations, and all of their dependent translators—to NBCUniversal on July 30, 2021. The $12.5 million deal gave NBCU Telemundo owned-and-operated stations in 31 markets and marked the end of 23 years of Ramar's ownership of the Telemundo affiliation in the city.[36][37] The sale was completed on October 5.[38]

Newscasts

[edit]
Further information: KOB (TV) § News operation

Initially, local news on Telemundo Nuevo México originated from the studios of KJTV-TV, formerly owned by Ramar, in Lubbock, Texas, with reports from Albuquerque-based reporters. As part of the sale, NBC entered into a transitional services agreement with Gray Television, which had purchased KJTV-TV and other Ramar television assets in Lubbock earlier in 2021, to continue news production in the short term;[39] in announcing the purchase, NBC declared its intention to start its own local news service for KASA.[36]

On October 18, 2021, Albuquerque's NBC affiliate, KOB, assumed production of the local newscasts.[40]

Rebroadcasters

[edit]

Satellite stations

[edit]

In addition to the main station, with transmitter on Sandia Crest,[1] KASA-TV operates two satellite stations to rebroadcast the station's programming to southeastern New Mexico.

Full-power satellites of KASA-TV
Station City of license Channel Facility ID ERP HAAT Transmitter coordinates First air date Public license information
KTEL-TV Carlsbad 25 83707 41 kW 120 m (394 ft) 32°26′9.6″N 104°11′16″W / 32.436000°N 104.18778°W / 32.436000; -104.18778 (KTEL-TV) October 27, 1997
KUPT Hobbs 29 27431 50 kW 157 m (515 ft) 32°43′28″N 103°5′48″W / 32.72444°N 103.09667°W / 32.72444; -103.09667 (KUPT) July 5, 1983

Translators

[edit]

KASA-TV has 23 low-power rebroadcasters in New Mexico and Colorado.[41] In early 1987, KGSW-TV began building translators in such cities as Alamosa, Durango, and Farmington.[42] Around the same time, the then-KNMZ-TV built its first rebroadcaster, to serve Farmington.[43]

Technical information

[edit]

Subchannels

[edit]

The stations' signals are multiplexed. The use of major channel numbers 15 and 33 for KASA-TV's other subchannels correlates to the other full-power former Ramar stations in New Mexico.

Subchannels of KASA-TV[44]
Channel Res. Aspect Short name Programming
2.1 1080i 16:9 KASA-HD Telemundo
15.1 480i TeleX TeleXitos
33.1 TBD TBD
47.1 720p COZI HD Cozi TV (KTEL-CD)
47.5 480i 4:3 Nosey Nosey
  Simulcast of subchannels of another station
Subchannels of KTEL-TV[45]
Channel Res. Aspect Short name Programming
33.1 720p 16:9 KTEL-TV Cozi TV
25.2 480i COZI TeleXitos
25.3 ROAR Roar
25.4 KASA Telemundo
25.5 Nosey Nosey
Subchannels of KUPT[46]
Channel Res. Aspect Short name Programming
2.1 480i 16:9 KASA-SD Telemundo
2.3 NBCLX NBC American Crimes
2.4 Oxygen Oxygen
29.1 TeleX TeleXitos
29.2 COZI H Cozi TV
29.3 TBD Roar
20.4 MOVIES [Blank]
  Simulcast of subchannels of another station

Analog-to-digital conversion

[edit]

KASA-TV shut down its analog signal, over VHF channel 2, on June 12, 2009, the official date on which full-power television in the United States transitioned from analog to digital broadcasts under federal mandate. The station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition UHF channel 27, using virtual channel 2.[47]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

KASA-TV

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from Grokipedia
KASA-TV, 2 (UHF digital channel 27), is a Spanish-language television station licensed to , , serving as an of the network in the Albuquerque–Santa Fe market. The station, branded on-air as Telemundo Nuevo México, provides a mix of national programming, including telenovelas, news, sports, and entertainment, alongside local content tailored to the in central and northern . Its studios are located at 4 Broadcast Plaza SW in Albuquerque, with a transmitter situated on east of that city. Owned by NBC Telemundo License LLC, a of , KASA-TV operates with an of 369 kW from an antenna height of 1,289.8 meters above average terrain, enabling wide coverage across its designated market area. The station's primary subchannel (2.1) airs 's main feed, while secondary channels include on 2.2, ROAR on 33.1, and on 47.1. KASA-TV first received its construction permit and initial license from the in 1984, marking the start of its broadcasting operations on VHF channel 2. Historically, KASA-TV has undergone several affiliation changes and ownership transitions reflective of the evolving media landscape in . It operated as an in its early years before affiliating with in the mid-1990s, a role it held until 2016 when sold it to Ramar Communications for $2.5 million amid regulatory requirements for the merger with . Under Ramar, the station switched to programming in 2017, with moving to a subchannel of KRQE. In 2021, acquired KASA-TV and other Ramar properties in the Albuquerque market for $12.5 million, converting it into a full owned-and-operated outlet and enabling the launch of local Spanish-language newscasts at 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. on weekdays. This acquisition expanded 's footprint to 31 owned stations nationwide, strengthening its presence in one of the largest markets in the U.S.

History

Early years

KASA-TV first signed on the air on , 1983, as KSAF-TV, operating as an on VHF channel 2 licensed to , and targeting the Albuquerque–Santa Fe market. Owned by New Mexico Media Company, a of local investors, the station broadcast from studios at the corner of St. Michael's Drive and Airport Road in Santa Fe, offering a general entertainment format that included classic films, syndicated sitcoms and dramas, cartoons, and limited to appeal to underserved viewers in the . From its , KSAF-TV encountered significant financial challenges in a market dominated by established Albuquerque outlets, struggling to attract advertisers and viewers amid high operational costs for a VHF independent. In October 1984, a California-based group acquired a , enabling upgrades such as the purchase of a library of 600 films from a distressed syndicator to bolster its schedule. The call sign was subsequently changed to KNMZ-TV (branded as "KNM2") on March 1, 1985, reflecting the new ownership's efforts to rebrand and stabilize operations. Despite these changes, mounting debts from programming acquisitions and insufficient revenue led to a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in August 1987 under licensee Media Limited License Holding Co., with assets of approximately $11 million against liabilities of $15 million. The station continued broadcasting through the proceedings, supported by local investor groups, but operations remained precarious. In 1989, the call letters shifted to KKTO-TV amid further ownership transitions involving Sunbelt Communications Company, marking the end of the initial independent era. KKTO-TV went dark in 1992 during preparations for a significant merger in the early .

Fox affiliation and mergers

In 1993, the Providence Journal Company, which had owned KGSW-TV (channel 14) since 1984, merged its operations with the dormant KKTO-TV license on VHF channel 2 to form KASA-TV, licensed to Santa Fe but serving the Albuquerque market as 's Fox affiliate. The merger, approved by the FCC in January 1993, allowed KGSW to relocate its transmitter to for improved signal coverage across central , signing off on channel 14 on April 5 and relaunching as KASA-TV on channel 2 later that month. As the Fox affiliate, KASA-TV shifted its programming to emphasize the network's primetime lineup, including shows like and , alongside syndicated fare such as and children's programming from , while supplementing with local promotions to build viewership in the expanded market. Ownership of KASA-TV transitioned in 1997 when A.H. Belo Corporation acquired the Providence Journal Company for $1.5 billion in cash and stock, incorporating KASA into Belo's portfolio of television stations. Belo sold KASA-TV, along with NBC affiliate KHNL in Honolulu, to Raycom Media for $88 million in July 1999 as part of a strategic divestiture to focus on core markets. Under Raycom, KASA-TV maintained its Fox affiliation and expanded syndicated programming, including talk shows and reality series, while enhancing coverage through additional translators to reach more of New Mexico's rural areas. In 2006, Raycom sold KASA-TV to LIN TV Corporation—owner of CBS affiliate KRQE—for $55 million; the deal included relocating KASA's operations to KRQE's downtown Albuquerque studios, enabling shared resources and a unified news production team while preserving Fox network content and syndicated daytime blocks. LIN TV merged with Media General in March 2014, retaining control of KASA-TV until Nexstar Broadcasting Group acquired Media General in a $4.6 billion deal approved in January 2017. To comply with FCC ownership limits, Nexstar divested KASA-TV and 31 associated low-power translators in New Mexico and Colorado to Ramar Communications for $2.5 million in a transaction announced in July 2016 and approved by the FCC in January 2017, setting the stage for KASA's shift away from Fox programming. During its Fox era, KASA-TV's focus on network sports, primetime dramas, and popular syndication like game shows helped solidify its role in serving diverse audiences across the state.

Transition to Telemundo

In early 2017, following the completion of Ramar Communications' acquisition of KASA-TV from , the station switched its primary affiliation from Fox to , with the change taking effect shortly after the Federal Communications Commission's approval of the license assignment on January 11. This transition elevated KASA-TV to the market's full-power outlet, replacing the low-power KTEL-CD as the primary carrier of the network's programming in the Albuquerque–Santa Fe designated market area (DMA), thereby enhancing coverage and accessibility for Spanish-language viewers across central . On July 30, 2021, Local announced its purchase of KASA-TV and several other Ramar-owned stations in for $12.5 million, a deal aimed at expanding the Station Group's owned-and-operated portfolio. The transaction received FCC approval and closed on October 5, 2021, transforming KASA-TV into a owned-and-operated station and integrating it fully into 's operations. Under this new ownership, the station's studios were established at 4 Broadcast Plaza SW in Albuquerque, co-located with facilities that support its expanded role in local Spanish-language broadcasting. As of 2025, KASA-TV remains stably owned by the Group, with no reported changes in or affiliation, continuing to serve as the leading Spanish-language network station in the Albuquerque–Santa Fe DMA and contributing to 's strategy for strengthening media presence in mid-sized markets.

Programming and local content

Network affiliation and programming

KASA-TV has served as a since acquired it from Ramar Communications in 2021 for $12.5 million, marking the end of independent local ownership after Ramar had converted it to a affiliate in 2017. As the primary outlet in the Albuquerque–Santa Fe designated market area (DMA), the station delivers a 24/7 feed tailored to the region's substantial audience, which comprises 42% of the local population according to 2023 estimates from the Hispanic Marketing Council. The station's core programming reflects Telemundo's focus on Spanish-language content, featuring first-run telenovelas and original series such as Dinastía Casillas, Lobo, and Bahar: Esencia de Mujer, which air in primetime slots to captivate viewers with dramatic storytelling rooted in Latin American narratives as of the 2025-26 season. News magazines like Al Rojo Vivo, which provides daily coverage of entertainment and celebrity news, complement the schedule alongside public affairs programs including Noticiero Telemundo, offering in-depth reporting on national and international issues relevant to Hispanic communities. Sports programming is a key component, with exclusive broadcasts of Liga MX soccer matches, including home games for popular teams like Chivas de Guadalajara, enhancing the network's appeal through live events that foster cultural connections. The upcoming premiere of the El Señor de los Cielos spinoff Dinastía Casillas in October 2025 further expands the network's scripted franchise. In addition to network-supplied content, KASA-TV incorporates syndicated Spanish-language entertainment such as reality competitions (La Casa de los Famosos) and lifestyle shows, interspersed with brief local promotional inserts to maintain relevance without disrupting the continuous feed. This programming strategy positions the station as a vital resource for bilingual households, prioritizing accessible, high-impact content that drives viewer engagement in the Southwest market.

Newscasts

KASA-TV's local newscasts originated from the studios of KJTV-TV in , following the station's affiliation switch to in 2017 under Ramar Communications ownership. These early Spanish-language programs featured reports from Albuquerque-based correspondents but were primarily produced remotely until the station's acquisition by in 2021. Following 's purchase of KASA-TV, which was completed in October 2021, the station shifted to a partnership with KOB-TV, the affiliate in Albuquerque, for local news production. This collaboration enabled the launch of in-house Spanish-language newscasts titled Noticias Telemundo Nuevo México on October 18, 2021, marking a transition from outsourced to locally produced content. The newscasts are produced from KOB-TV's facilities, leveraging shared resources to cover regional stories. The format consists of 30-minute evening broadcasts airing at 5:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. weekdays, focusing on , weather, and sports tailored to the community in . Weekend editions are also offered at 10:00 p.m., maintaining a consistent emphasis on timely, community-relevant reporting in Spanish. In November 2022, Edgardo Sanabria Mariani was promoted to news director, overseeing the operation and expansion of the newsroom after serving as assistant news director since 2021. Under his leadership, the team has grown, enhancing coverage depth post-acquisition.

Digital platforms and services

KASA-TV, operating as Telemundo Nuevo México, extended its reach through digital platforms following its acquisition by NBCUniversal in October 2021. The station launched its Spanish-language mobile app, branded as the Telemundo Nuevo México app, on June 30, 2022, marking the debut of New Mexico's first dedicated app for local Spanish-language news and weather services. Available on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Fire TV, and Roku devices, the app provides users with access to local news, weather updates, and video content tailored to the Hispanic community in the Albuquerque-Santa Fe market. Key features of the app include customizable real-time alerts for , , and sports events, as well as live streaming of local newscasts and on-demand video playback. It emphasizes community-focused content, such as in-depth local reporting and multimedia stories that address issues relevant to Latino audiences, including the first Spanish-language alerts in the market with tools like 10-day forecasts, live , and closing notifications. These elements enhance audience engagement by breaking language barriers and delivering timely, culturally resonant information directly to mobile users. The station's website, TelemundoNuevoMexico.com, integrates seamlessly with these digital efforts, offering streaming of live broadcasts and an extensive of on-demand videos covering news, weather, and entertainment. Launched in December 2021 under NBCUniversal's oversight, the site supports the app's content ecosystem, allowing users to access full newscasts and archived segments across platforms. As of 2025, the Telemundo Nuevo México app remains the pioneering Spanish-language local media app in , bolstering NBCUniversal's digital operations for the station by fostering greater connectivity with the state's growing population.

Rebroadcasters

Satellite stations

KASA-TV operates two full-power satellite stations that extend its programming to rural areas in southeast , beyond the core Albuquerque-Santa Fe designated market area (DMA). These stations KASA-TV's primary channel and select subchannels, providing identical network content while serving local communities with limited access to over-the-air signals from the main station. Owned by through its subsidiary, the satellites help broaden the network's reach in underserved regions.
StationCity of LicenseChannelERP (kW)Notes
KTEL-TVCarlsbad, NM25 (UHF)41Licensed since 1985 as a semi-satellite; broadcasts from a transmitter near , covering the Carlsbad-Artesia micropolitan area.
KUPTHobbs, NM29 (UHF)50Licensed since 1987; serves the micropolitan area and surrounding southeast counties, enhancing coverage for oil-producing regions.
Both stations maintain separate transmitter facilities to ensure reliable signal propagation in their respective areas, with KTEL-TV focusing on the Permian Basin vicinity and KUPT targeting the border region. This setup allows KASA-TV to fulfill obligations and deliver Telemundo's Spanish-language programming, including news, sports, and entertainment, to approximately 90,000 additional viewers in rural southeast .

Translators

KASA-TV extends its coverage through a network of 20 low-power digital translators that rebroadcast its signal to remote and fringe areas in and southern . These translators address signal propagation challenges in the region's mountainous and varied terrain, providing reliable access to programming where the main signal from may not reach effectively. All translators have operated digitally since the 2009 transition, aligning with broader FCC requirements for low-power television stations to improve efficiency and picture quality. Ownership and operations are managed by NBC Telemundo License LLC, the parent licensee of KASA-TV, often in coordination with local partners to maintain compliance and coverage. Key deployment areas include northern , such as Taos (K12OG-D, channel 12) and Eagle Nest (K31NZ-D, channel 31); the region around Farmington (K23KL-D, channel 23 in Farmington and K27ND-D, channel 27 in Aztec); eastern sites like Roswell (K15FT-D, channel 15) and (K20GQ-D, channel 20); and southern locales in the Durango area (KXZQ-LD, channel 35 in Durango, K19LD-D, channel 19 in Bayfield, and K27IG-D, channel 27 in Cortez). Other notable translators serve communities including Gallup (K18HF-D, channel 18), Alamogordo (K27HP-D, channel 27), and Pagosa Springs (K19LC-D, channel 19).

Technical information

Subchannels

KASA-TV broadcasts its primary programming on 2.1 as in high definition (1080i), featuring the network's Spanish-language news, entertainment, and sports content. The station utilizes digital multicast to offer additional subchannels, mapped via PSIP to virtual channels 2.x for the primary feed and extensions like 33.x and 47.x for secondary services, allowing viewers to access diverse programming over the air. Subchannel 2.2 carries in standard definition (), a Spanish-language network focused on retro programming including classic telenovelas, dramatic series from the to , action-adventure movies, and blockbuster films dubbed or subtitled for audiences. Subchannel 33.1 airs ROAR in standard definition (), the rebranded successor to the TBD network (relaunched April 28, 2025), which delivers comedic and irreverent content such as viral video compilations, funny franchises, and lighthearted lifestyle segments curated from online creators. Subchannel 47.1 features in high definition (), offering family-oriented classic television with sitcoms like , , and , alongside dramas such as . The station's rebroadcasters, including KTEL-CD (virtual 47) and KUPT-LD (virtual 16), mirror KASA-TV's primary 2.1 feed on select subchannels—such as KTEL-CD 47.1 and KUPT-LD 16.4—while also carrying additional services like on others (e.g., KTEL-CD 47.2/47.3 and KUPT-LD 16.3) to extend coverage in the Albuquerque area. These low-power stations use similar configurations to provide localized access to the subchannel lineup without duplicating the full array on every feed.
Virtual ChannelPhysical ChannelResolutionProgrammingAudio
2.127.1DD 2.0
2.227.4DD 2.0
33.127.3ROARDD 2.0
47.127.2DD 2.0
This table reflects KASA-TV's multicast structure as of November 2025; rebroadcasters may vary slightly in subchannel availability.

Analog-to-digital conversion

KASA-TV transmitted its analog signal on VHF channel 2 until the nationwide digital television transition. The station shut down its analog signal at midnight on June 12, 2009, in accordance with the Federal Communications Commission's mandate for full-power stations to cease analog broadcasting. Prior to the transition, KASA-TV operated its digital signal on UHF channel 27, which had been active since the early phases of the DTV rollout. Following the analog shutdown, the station transitioned to full-time digital operations on physical channel 27, mapping its primary channel to virtual 2.1 to maintain continuity with its legacy analog assignment. The conversion enabled KASA-TV to broadcast in high definition and introduce multiple subchannels, enhancing viewer options without reported significant service interruptions in the Albuquerque–Santa Fe market.

Transmitter facilities

KASA-TV's transmitter is located on in . The facility operates with an (ERP) of 369 kW on UHF channel 27, achieving a (HAAT) of 1,289.8 meters. The precise coordinates of the transmitter site are 35°12′49.8″N 106°27′3.3″W. It utilizes a TUD-O5-8/40U-B horizontal polarization antenna mounted on antenna structure registration number 1225205. The antenna is shared among several Albuquerque-area television stations and is owned by , the parent company of licensee NBC Telemundo License LLC. This setup, licensed under FCC facility ID 32311, provides over-the-air coverage to most of the Albuquerque–Santa Fe designated market area, encompassing approximately 22,700 square miles and serving over 1.1 million people, with rebroadcasters extending reach across the remainder of . The digital transition in 2009 enabled this full-power operation, optimizing signal propagation from the high-elevation site.

References

  1. https://transition.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?call=KASA
  2. https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=print_station&facility_id=32311
  3. https://www.telemundonuevomexico.com/
  4. https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/kasa-tv-debuts-locally-produced-spanish-language-newscasts
  5. https://www.telemundonuevomexico.com/conectate/
  6. https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/nbcu-completes-acquisition-of-stations-from-ramar-communications
  7. https://www.forbes.com/sites/veronicavillafane/2021/07/30/telemundo-station-group-expands-local-footprint-with-acquisition-of-ramar-communications-stations-in-new-mexico/
  8. https://wtfda.org/wp-content/uploads/vuds/80s/1982/05-82-vud.pdf
  9. https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1984-TV-Factbook/TV-Factbook-1984-Intro.pdf
  10. https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/158088397/
  11. https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Channels-of-Communication/Channels-1988-01.pdf
  12. https://tvstations.fandom.com/wiki/KASA-TV
  13. https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-TV-Radio-Age/80s/1985/Television-Radio-Age-1985-04-29.pdf
  14. https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-BC/Broadcasting-Magazine/BC-1988/BC-1988-01-18.pdf
  15. https://www.newspapers.com/article/albuquerque-journal-kgsw-tv-14-becomes-k/13250811/
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  17. https://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/03/business/company-news-belo-to-acquire-315-million-in-assets-from-mac.html
  18. https://www.newspapers.com/article/albuquerque-journal-krqes-team-will-ope/82514282/
  19. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/216539/000119312514182437/d714766d424b4.htm
  20. https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/station-trading-roundup-1deal-2-5m/
  21. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-broadcast-station-deal-volume-nears-310-million-in-q3-2016-lowest-ytd-volume-since-2010-300340623.html
  22. https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-17-23A1.pdf
  23. https://www.nexttv.com/news/nbcu-local-to-buy-albuquerque-stations-from-ramar-communications
  24. https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/publicFacilityDetails.html?facilityId=35313
  25. https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/nbcu-local-to-acquire-ramar-communications-stations-in-albuquerque
  26. https://hispanicmarketingcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/HISPANIC-MARKET-GUIDE-2023-1.pdf
  27. https://www.nbcuniversal.com/article/telemundos-2025-26-upfront-slate-powered-5000-hours-live-tv-fifa-world-cup-26tm-premium-series-and
  28. https://nbcuniversalnewsgroup.com/telemundo/2025/07/09/liga-mx-on-telemundo-expanded-apertura-2025-schedule-with-coverage-beginning-july-11/
  29. https://nbcuniversalnewsgroup.com/telemundo/2025/08/19/telemundos-explosive-new-super-series-dinastia-casillas-to-premiere-and-captivate-audiences-this-october/
  30. https://www.nbcuniversal.com/article/telemundo-rises-next-level-1000-hours-authentic-and-relevant-content-created-and-us-latinos
  31. https://www.nbcuniversal.com/article/telemundo-wraps-2024-leading-spanish-language-media-across-linear-and-digital-platforms
  32. https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/KASA-TV
  33. https://tvnewscheck.com/journalism/article/kasa-debuts-locally-produced-noticias-telemundo-nuevo-mexico-newscasts/
  34. https://www.nexttv.com/news/edgardo-sanabria-mariani-named-news-director-at-kasa-albuquerque
  35. https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/kasa-tv-launches-spanish-language-app-for-local-news-weather
  36. https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=print_station&facility_id=83707
  37. https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=print_station&facility_id=27431
  38. https://www.broadcast1source.com/ePIF/ktel_3437/518506a910c547beade17f6f1043cc09/KTEL_StationAuthorization_License.pdf
  39. https://wikipedia.nucleos.com/viewer/wikipedia_en_all_maxi_2024-01/A/KUPT
  40. https://tvnewscheck.com/business/article/nbcu-local-completes-albuquerque-stations-buy-from-ramar/
  41. https://www.fcc.gov/media/television/low-power-television-lptv
  42. https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=print_market&mktid=53
  43. https://hispanicad.com/news/telemundo-station-group-launches-telexitos-multicast-network/
  44. https://sbgi.net/tbd-tv-network-to-rebrand-as-roar/
  45. https://www.cozitv.com/
  46. https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=print_station&facility_id=55056
  47. https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=print_station&facility_id=198113
  48. https://transition.fcc.gov/dtv/markets/signal-loss-report.pdf
  49. https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=32311
  50. https://www.nielsen.com/insights/2009/the-switch-from-analog-to-digital-tv/
  51. https://transition.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?facid=32311
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