{{Short description|Television station in Fort Smith, Arkansas}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2025}} {{Infobox television station dual | name1 = KHBS | city1 = Fort Smith, Arkansas | logo = KHBS2022logo.png | logo_alt = On a blue disk with a ring that is half red and half blue, bold shiny white numerals "40" in the upper left and "29" in the lower right, with the ABC logo sitting atop the disk in the lower left. Beneath are the letters "KHBS/KHOG" in a sans serif. | logo_size = 150px | image = KHBS-DT2 2024.svg | image_size = 140px | image_alt = The CW network logo in red-orange with the word "Arkansas" in black above it. | branding = {{ubl|40/29|Arkansas CW (40.2/29.2)}} | digital1 = 21 (UHF) | virtual1 = 40 | affiliations = {{ubl|'''40.1/29.1:''' ABC|'''40.2/29.2:''' The CW Plus|''for others, see {{section link||Technical information}}''}} | country = United States | airdate1 = {{start date|1971|07|28}} | callsign_meaning1 = Hernreich Broadcasting Stations (founding owner) | former_callsigns1 = KFPW-TV (1971–1983) | former_channel_numbers1 = '''Analog:''' 40 (UHF, 1971–2009) | owner = Hearst Television | licensee = Arkansas Hearst Television Inc. | sister_stations = | former_affiliations1 = CBS (1971–1978) | erp1 = 325 kW | haat1 = {{convert|602|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} | facility_id1 = 60353 | coordinates1 = {{coord|35|4|15.5|N|94|40|44|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=KHBS}} | licensing_authority = FCC | website = {{URL|https://www.4029tv.com}} | name2 = KHOG-TV | city2 = Fayetteville, Arkansas | digital2 = 15 (UHF) | virtual2 = 29 | airdate2 = {{start date|1977|12|05}}{{efn|Not counting the operational history of KGTO-TV, which is the same license.}} | callsign_meaning2 = Hog (mascot for the University of Arkansas) | former_callsigns2 = KTVP (1977–1987) | former_channel_numbers2 = '''Analog:''' 29 (UHF, 1977–2009) | former_affiliations2 = CBS (1977–1978) | erp2 = 180 kW | haat2 = {{convert|266|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} | facility_id2 = 60354 | coordinates2 = {{coord|36|0|57|N|94|5|0|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=KHOG-TV}} }} '''KHBS''' (channel 40) in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and '''KHOG-TV'''<!-- This one is officially "KHOG-TV", *NOT* "KHOG". Unlike KHBS, this station has always included the "-TV" suffix (except "-DT" for the digital license during the simulcast era; it now uses the old analog callsign). The "-TV" is needed here due to radio station(s) in Northwest Arkansas that used the "KHOG" callsign before it was assigned to KHOG-TV in 1987. Other uses of "KHOG" here are appropriate as a short reference to KHOG-TV. --> (channel 29) in Fayetteville, Arkansas, together known as "'''40/29'''", are television stations affiliated with ABC and The CW Plus, serving the Arkansas River Valley and Northwest Arkansas. Owned by Hearst Television, the stations maintain studios on Ajax Avenue in Rogers. KHBS's transmitter is located on Cavanal Hill in northwestern Le Flore County, Oklahoma (northwest of Poteau), while KHOG-TV's tower sits near Ed Edwards Road in rural northeastern Washington County, Arkansas, just southeast of the Fayetteville city limits.
Channel 40 in Fort Smith began broadcasting on July 28, 1971, as KFPW-TV, the city's second TV station. It was built by George T. Hernreich; initially airing second-choice programming from all of the Big Three networks, it became a primary CBS affiliate in 1973 and a sole ABC affiliate in 1978. In 1977, KFPW-TV's programming began to be rebroadcast in Fayetteville by KTVP on channel 29, the former KGTO-TV (channel 36) with new facilities and equipment. This expanded 40/29's reach to Northwest Arkansas, a market where it would later find a substantial viewership base. The stations changed call signs to KHBS and KHOG-TV in 1983 and 1987, respectively.
Hernreich family members owned 40/29 until 1996, when it was acquired by Argyle Television, which merged into Hearst in 1998. It has remained competitive in news ratings with KFSM-TV, whose traditional viewership base is in the Arkansas River Valley.
==History== George T. Hernreich trading as KFPW Broadcasting Company, owner of Fort Smith radio station KFPW (1230 AM), applied to build a station on channel 24 on March 15, 1967.<ref name="hc">{{Cite web|url=https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=84617|title=History Cards for KHBS|publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}</ref> The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) designated his application and a second from a consortium known as Broadcasters Unlimited for comparative hearing on March 11, 1968,<ref name="Time680416">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-record-legal/179398923/|date=April 16, 1968|page=5-B|title=Legal|newspaper=Fort Smith Times Record|location=Fort Smith, Arkansas|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 22, 2025}}</ref><!-- Tue --> after which Hernreich amended his application to specify channel 40. The FCC granted Hernreich a construction permit on May 28, 1969.{{r|hc}}
KFPW-TV began airing limited programming on July 28, 1971, from studios on Albert Pike in Fort Smith. It was the first time that the Fort Smith market had two competing stations in more than 15 years.<ref name="Time710729">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-record-second-city-tv-station-begi/179710013/|date=July 29, 1971|page=1|title=Second City TV Station Begins Tests|newspaper=Times Record|location=Fort Smith, Arkansas|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 22, 2025}}</ref><!-- Thu --> It aired programs from all three major networks: ABC, CBS, and NBC. At the time, Fort Smith's other TV station, KFSM-TV (channel 5), did likewise: KFPW-TV aired ten ABC prime-time programs, eight from CBS, and five from NBC in the fall 1971 television season.<ref name="Time710829">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-record-fall-prime-time-lineup/179710140/|date=August 29, 1971|page=TV 13|title=Fall Prime-Time Lineup|newspaper=Southwest Times Record|location=Fort Smith, Arkansas|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 22, 2025}}</ref><!-- Sun --> This arrangement ended in 1973, when KFPW-TV obtained first call rights to CBS programming,<ref name="Time730909">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-record-channel-40-plans-expanded-o/180677110/|date=September 9, 1973|page=2E|title=Channel 40 Plans Expanded Operation|newspaper=Southwest Times Record|location=Fort Smith, Arkansas|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 22, 2025}}</ref><!-- Sun --> which was supplemented by ABC.<ref name="Time760919">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-record-select-abc-programs-on-40/180677255/|date=September 19, 1976|page=3-E|title=Select ABC programs on 40|newspaper=Southwest Times Record|location=Fort Smith, Arkansas|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 22, 2025}}</ref><!-- Sun -->
Channel 40 had been allowed to go on the air by the FCC amid an investigation into practices at Hernreich's other TV station, KAIT in Jonesboro. KAIT was being investigated in a bribery scandal involving ABC, and the FCC conditioned approval of a final broadcast license for KFPW-TV on the outcome of its Jonesboro hearing.<ref name="BC710802">{{cite news|title=FCC-network probe alleged ABC payoff: Hearings called to examine Arkansas broadcaster's applications for licenses|page=28|work=Broadcasting|date=August 2, 1971|id={{ProQuest|1016850704}} }}</ref> In April 1973, FCC administrative law judge Forest L. McClenning ruled that Hernreich should lose the licenses for both stations. He found that Hernreich lacked the qualifications to be a broadcast licensee, putting his other holdings—two AM radio stations and an FM outlet in other Arkansas cities—in peril. McClenning rejected allegations from Hernreich that the payments were made on threat of losing the ABC affiliation for KAIT-TV.<ref name="BC730430">{{Cite news|title=FCC judge rejects Hernreich's claim of being victimized: McClenning proposes lifting licenses for involvement in payoff to network official|work=Broadcasting|date=April 30, 1973|id={{ProQuest|1285752234}} }}</ref> On appeal to the FCC in 1974, Hernreich won a license for KFPW-TV and was found to be generally qualified, but the commission on a 3-2 vote denied a license renewal for KAIT-TV; that decision was reversed five years later.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Hernreich loses KAIT-TV license, retains KFPW-TV's: Ark. broadcaster's renewal denied after FCC holds his payment of bribe for ABC affiliation favors beyond pale of Chairman Wiley's 'new ethic'|page=18|work=Broadcasting|date=July 22, 1974|id={{ProQuest|1014665143}} }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|page=25|title=In Brief|work=Broadcasting|id={{ProQuest|1016899125}}|date=May 14, 1979}}</ref>
During this time, Hernreich made arrangements to buy a station in Fayetteville. In May 1973, Hernreich filed to buy KGTO-TV from Noark Investments to convert it to a satellite station of KFPW-TV.<ref name="Nort730530">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/northwest-arkansas-times-television-sale/30870362/|date=May 30, 1973|page=26|title=Television Sale Proposal Before Federal Agency|newspaper=Northwest Arkansas Times|location=Fayetteville, Arkansas|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 22, 2025}}</ref><!-- Wed --> KGTO-TV went off the air that December awaiting approval of the sale.<ref name="Nort740111">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/northwest-arkansas-times-kgto-is-awaitin/30870419/|date=January 11, 1974|page=3|title=KGTO Is Awaiting Approval Of Sale|newspaper=Northwest Arkansas Times|location=Fayetteville, Arkansas|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 22, 2025}}</ref><!-- Fri --> Hernreich received conditional approval to buy the station in 1975, dependent on the outcome of the other proceedings,<ref>{{Cite news|title=Hernreich's purchase of KGTO Co. given yellow light at FCC|page=32|work=Broadcasting|date=May 12, 1975|id={{pq|1014675640}} }}</ref> as well as approval to build an FM station in Fort Smith in 1976.<ref>{{Cite news|page=46|title=This time the nod goes to Hernreich|date=February 16, 1976|id={{pq|1014677484}}|work=Broadcasting}}</ref> To save costs, Hernreich successfully petitioned the FCC to change KGTO-TV from channel 36 to channel 29,<ref>{{cite web|work=Federal Register|date=April 14, 1977|title=Television Broadcast Stations in Fayetteville, Arkansas, et al. |url=https://cdn.loc.gov/service/ll/fedreg/fr042/fr042072/fr042072.pdf|page=19491|accessdate=April 26, 2019}}</ref> and the station returned to the air as KTVP on December 5, 1977, with local studios in Fayetteville's McIlroy Plaza.<ref name="Nort771206">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/northwest-arkansas-times-tv-station-on-a/30870469/|date=December 6, 1977|page=2|title=TV Station On Air|newspaper=Northwest Arkansas Times|location=Fayetteville, Arkansas|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 22, 2025}}</ref><!-- Tue --> The Fayetteville operation later moved to quarters on Church Street.<ref name="NWADG070520">{{Cite news|title=Area TV stations shifting focus, facilities north|work=Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette|first=Stacey|last=Roberts|page=81|date=May 20, 2007}}</ref>
Fort Smith received a third local TV station in 1978 when KLMN (channel 24) began. Ahead of it going on the air, Hernreich held talks with ABC and CBS for exclusive affiliation.{{r|Time780509}} When CBS heard of this, they decided to cut ties with KFPW–KTVP; this left the stations to sign with ABC,<ref>{{Cite news|page=434|title=Musical Affils In Arkansas|work=Variety|date=May 17, 1978|id={{pq|1286014858}} }}</ref> which Hernreich believed "would be the main vibrant force in network television for the next five years". Channel 24 then affiliated with CBS.<ref name="Time780509">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-record-third-for-fort-smith-work/182047849/|date=May 9, 1978|page=7-A|first=Mike|last=Smith|work=Southwest Times Record|title=Third for Fort Smith: Work begins on TV station|location=Fort Smith, Arkansas|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 22, 2025}}</ref><!-- Tue --> When the Hernreichs sold their Fort Smith radio holdings in 1983, the KFPW call sign stayed with the radio station, and channel 40 changed to KHBS, reflecting its parent, Hernreich Broadcasting Stations. That same year, Hernreich completed construction on new Fayetteville studios and upgraded the channel 40 transmitter facility.<ref name="Time830213">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-record-kfpw-tv-gets-new-call-lette/180415294/|date=February 13, 1983|page=2-D|title=KFPW-TV gets new call letters|newspaper=Times Record|location=Fort Smith, Arkansas|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 22, 2025}}</ref><!-- Sun --> In 1985, George Hernreich sold KHBS–KTVP to Sigma Broadcasting, controlled by his children Cynthia and Robert Hernreich, separating the television station from Hernreich's remaining radio interests in Hot Springs.<ref>{{cite news|title=Changing Hands|work=Broadcasting|page=191|date=January 14, 1985|id={{pq|1014713025}} }}</ref> KTVP became KHOG-TV in 1987.{{r|FCC-LMS-60354}}
Argyle Television of San Antonio, Texas, purchased KHBS–KHOG from Sigma in 1996.<ref name="Time960321">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-record-fort-smiths-abc-affiliate/180475957/|date=March 21, 1996|page=1A|first=Kerry|last=Prichard|title=Fort Smith's ABC affiliate sold to Texas-based firm|newspaper=Times Record|location=Fort Smith, Arkansas|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 22, 2025}}</ref><!-- Thu --> In August 1997, Argyle merged with the Hearst Corporation's broadcasting unit to form what was then known as Hearst-Argyle Television.<ref name="Clar970327">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/clarion-ledger-hearst-to-acquire-jackson/128270804/|date=March 27, 1997|page=1B|title=Hearst to acquire Jackson's WAPT in merger with owner, Argyle Television|newspaper=Clarion-Ledger|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 16, 2023|archive-date=July 16, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230716051432/https://www.newspapers.com/article/clarion-ledger-hearst-to-acquire-jackson/128270804/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --><ref>{{Cite press release|date=September 2, 1997|first=Thomas W.|last=Campo|title=Argyle Television and Hearst Broadcasting Group merger completed; Preliminary election results announced|publisher=BusinessWire|id={{ProQuest|447008108}} }}</ref>{{efn|The name continued until 2009, when the Hearst Corporation acquired Argyle's stake in the venture, took it private, and renamed it Hearst Television.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/hearst-moves-merger-34881|date=June 3, 2009|title=Hearst Moves On Merger|work=Broadcasting & Cable|first=Michael|last=Malone|access-date=July 16, 2023|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407011414/https://www.nexttv.com/news/hearst-moves-merger-34881|url-status=live}}</ref>}} After years of maintaining its operations in facilities in Fort Smith and Fayetteville, Hearst-Argyle opened a new, {{convert|12900|ft2|m2|adj=on}} studio in Rogers in 2007, as growth in Northwest Arkansas and particularly Benton County outpaced the Fort Smith area.<ref>{{Cite news|page=4|title=40/29 readies Rogers station|work=Benton County Daily Record|date=September 7, 2007}}</ref>{{r|NWADG070520}}
KHBS and KHOG began broadcasting The CW as subchannels on April 28, 2008.<ref name="CW">{{cite web|title=KHBS, KHOG Offer The CW on Digital Channel|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/khbs-khog-offer-cw-digital-channel-27636|first=Michael|last=Malone|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable|date=April 9, 2008|access-date=April 9, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=CW Signs Digital Affils In Arkansas|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/cw-signs-digital-affils-in-arkansas/|website=TVNewsCheck|date=April 8, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=40/29 To Add CW Network|url=http://www.4029tv.com/news/15798741/detail.html|website=KHBS/KHOG|date=April 4, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718221058/http://www.4029tv.com/news/15798741/detail.html|archive-date=July 18, 2011}}</ref> Previously, CW programming was not available even on cable because the market lacked a local affiliate and the network denied Cox Communications permission to offer a direct network feed to subscribers.<ref name="Time070403">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-record-cable-goes-on-without-vero/185455044/|date=April 3, 2007|page=2B|first=Ben|last=Boulden|title=Cable Goes On Without 'Veronica Mars': Cox Cannot Find Affiliate|newspaper=Times Record|location=Fort Smith, Arkansas|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 22, 2025}}</ref><!-- Tue --> Arkansas CW was provided in high definition beginning in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Arkansas CW leads nation in primetime audience delivery|url=https://www.4029tv.com/article/the-arkansas-cw-leads-nation-in-primetime-audience-delivery/4945605|website=KHBS/KHOG|publisher=Hearst Television|date=June 27, 2012|access-date=August 7, 2018}}</ref>
==News operation== Historically, the media market was dominated by Fort Smith and KFSM-TV. In 1983, KFSM-TV had a 50-percent audience share for its 6 p.m. newscast and KHBS/KHOG 6 percent.{{r|ArkD890826}} That year, Craig Cannon joined 40/29 from KTUL in Tulsa, Oklahoma,<ref name="ArkD910210">{{cite news|date=February 10, 1991|pages=1E, [https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/signing/idihkmizaqymtmpfgqshrhoxlnymgqtz_ip-10-166-46-154_1763975412369 5E]|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/tulsa-fort-smith-smart-move-anchorexecutive/rogrsnpfhahodlqhwlvxscuoumkmkjmw_ip-10-166-46-91_1763975293632|work=Arkansas Democrat|title=Tulsa to Fort Smith smart move for anchor/executive|first=Celia|last=Storey}}</ref> beginning a 37-year tenure with the station.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-15 |title=North Arkansas Anchor Set to Retire After 37 Years |website=TVSpy |last=Tsoflias Siegel |first=Stephanie |url=https://www.adweek.com/tvspy/north-arkansas-anchor-set-to-retire-after-37-years/ |access-date=2026-02-13 |language=en-US}}</ref> As the growth in population in the region shifted to the Fayetteville area and under Darrel Cunningham, who came to 40/29 from KAIT in 1985,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/uhf-station-wants-be-top-hog-hills/dkmshtyxzfdywgykzikkzbpyfcdulzxw_ip-10-166-46-104_1763974970293|first=Paul|last=Johnson|work=Arkansas Gazette|title=UHF station wants to be top HOG in the hills|pages=1E, [https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/cunning-director-upping-ante-tv-war/ettoblavdtwpsasbmbpinxjbtezyyjtw_ip-10-166-46-133_1763974881257 2E]|date=August 30, 1989}}</ref> KHBS/KHOG was the principal beneficiary. Its newscast format split the anchors between Fort Smith and Fayetteville, much like the old NBC newscast ''The Huntley–Brinkley Report'',<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/long-inks-contract-fort-smith-fayetteville-stations/iuurookfcyhidkrangiirjueckeuzvlu_wma-gateway006_1689839512483|page=1E|first=Becki|last=Moore|title=Long inks contract with Fort Smith, Fayetteville stations|date=March 7, 1989|work=Arkansas Democrat}}</ref> and was later adopted by KFSM and KPOM/KFAA.<ref name="Time950115">{{Cite news |date=1995-01-15 |title=TV station to offer split local newscasts |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-record-tv-station-to-offer-split-l/180475358/ |access-date=2026-02-13 |work=Times Record |page=8A}}</ref> In July 1989, KHBS/KHOG passed KFSM for the first time in 6 p.m. news ratings and total-day audience share.<ref name="ArkD890826">{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/even-without-three-bs-steenburgen-survived-south/zwhaxhstduwnlyacapnhiadmapbgwxsv_wma-gateway010_1687332161214|page=1F|date=August 26, 1989|work=Arkansas Democrat|title=Even without three Bs, Steenburgen survived the South|first=Becki|last=Moore}}</ref> That year, Benton County was moved from the Joplin, Missouri, television market to Northwest Arkansas.<ref>{{Cite news|page=5B|title=KHBS/KHOG still gains ground: On main rival, KFSM, Fort Smith, in the November ratings|first=Paul|last=Johnson|work=Arkansas Gazette|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/khbskhog-still-gains-ground-main-rival-kfsm-fort-smith-november-ratings/yguccotuodwvhnalvxcbyldyzlotngbn_wma-gateway017_1689839945551|date=December 23, 1989}}</ref> This geographic shift forced KFSM to shuffle its news operation to better serve viewers beyond the Arkansas River Valley<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/overlooking-viewers-keeps-kfsm-top/rtcskxzcgaaqmpkenchibhrtxdnkrlph_wma-gateway004_1689840097606|first=Celia|last=Storey|title=Overlooking viewers keeps KFSM from top|pages=1D, [https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/ratings/vqqbqudgwssdtlkivqshecgwvnxwrmkn_wma-gateway012_1689840165716 8D]|work=Arkansas Democrat|date=February 16, 1991}}</ref> as KHBS/KHOG's strategy of establishing itself in Northwest Arkansas reaped gains in ratings.<ref name="ArkD910217">{{cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/cunninghams-uhf-stations-charge-ahead/lscydbjotvawydlhymamjyvgerhtnjru_wma-gateway013_1689840287326|first=Celia|last=Storey|title=Cunningham's UHF stations charge ahead|work=Arkansas Democrat|date=February 17, 1991|pages=1G, [https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/tv/gsvmyeqkxsyqbwohqidwlqdliabumbdh_wma-gateway009_1689840212158 10G]}}</ref> Between 1983 and 1991, the KHBS/KHOG news department grew from 10 employees to 38.{{r|ArkD910210}} In the mid-1990s, 40/29 aired partially separate Fort Smith and Fayetteville newscasts.{{r|Time950115}}
KFSM and KHBS/KHOG became the top two news stations in the market, with KFSM stronger in Fort Smith and KHBS/KHOG stronger in the Northwest Arkansas component of the market (Benton and Washington counties) and among younger viewers.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Northwest's newest TV news tries to overcome Seinfeld effect|first=Bill|last=Bowden|work=Arkansas Business|date=January 21, 2002|id={{Gale|A82493173}} }}</ref> In 2003, KHBS/KHOG had twice as many viewers in Northwest Arkansas as KFSM-TV, yet it was second in the full 11-county designated market area (DMA).<ref>{{cite news|title=KHOG wins NWA Nielsen ratings|date=September 8, 2003|work=Arkansas Business|id={{Gale|A108550825}} }}</ref> In 2014, KFSM had commanding leads in the DMA in most news time slots.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Malone |first=Michael |date=2014-05-27 |title=Market Eye: Where Local Is Focal |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/market-eye-where-local-focal-131379 |access-date=2026-02-13 |website=Broadcasting & Cable |language=en}}</ref>
Over the course of the 2010s, KHBS added news coverage. The weekday morning newscast, ''40/29 News Sunrise'', was expanded to {{frac|2|1|2}} hours in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|title=KHBS-KHOG Expands Morning News|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/2011/04/14/50606/khbskhog-expands-morning-news|website=TVNewsCheck|date=April 14, 2011}}</ref> Weekend morning newscasts were added the following year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Malone |first=Michael |date=2014-06-10 |title=Stations Working for the Weekend |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/stations-working-weekend-131635 |access-date=2026-02-13 |website=Broadcasting & Cable |language=en}}</ref> Arkansas CW began airing newscasts in 2012, when a 9 p.m. half-hour newscast debuted.<ref>{{cite web|title=KHBS-KHOG Launch Evening Newscast on Arkansas CW-Affiliate|url=https://www.adweek.com/tvspy/khbs-khog-launch-evening-newscast-on-arkansas-cw-affiliate/|first=Merrill|last=Knox|website=TVSpy|date=August 20, 2012}}</ref> A morning news extension debuted in 2016, followed by half-hour Saturday and Sunday early evening newscasts in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|title=Arkansas CW Launches Weekend 5 PM News|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/article/107324/arkansas-cw-launches-weekend-5-pm-news/|website=TVNewsCheck|date=September 15, 2017|access-date=August 7, 2018}}</ref> A 4 p.m. newscast was added on the main channel in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Malone |first=Michael |date=July 16, 2024 |title=KHBS-KHOG Fort Smith, Arkansas, Premieres 4 P.M. News in August |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/khbs-khog-fort-smith-premieres-4-pm-news-in-august |access-date=November 22, 2025 |website=Broadcasting & Cable |language=en}}</ref>
===Notable former on-air staff=== * Sharyn Alfonsi<ref>{{Cite news|work=The Virginian-Pilot|title= A well-conceived invention from WAVY alum|date=May 17, 2006|page=E1|first=Larry|last=Bonko}}</ref>
==Technical information== {{Maplink|frame=yes|frame-height=340|frame-width=240|raw={{Wikipedia:Map data/KHBS and KHOG}} |text=Coverage areas of KHBS (red) and KHOG-TV (blue)}}
The KHBS transmitter is located on Cavanal Hill near Poteau, Oklahoma.{{r|FCC-LMS-60353}} The KHOG-TV transmitter is located on Robinson Mountain, southeast of Fayetteville.{{r|FCC-LMS-60354}} The stations' signals are multiplexed with three shared subchannels and two unique subchannels:
{| class = wikitable |+Subchannels of KHBS<ref>{{cite web|title=RabbitEars TV Query for KHBS|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KHBS#station|website=RabbitEars|access-date=August 5, 2017}}</ref> ! scope = "col" | Channel ! scope = "col" | Res. ! scope = "col" | Aspect ! scope = "col" | Short name ! scope = "col" | Programming |- ! scope = "row" | 40.1 | rowspan=2|720p || rowspan=5|16:9 || KHBS-DT || ABC |- ! scope = "row" | 40.2 | ARK-CW || The CW Plus |- ! scope = "row" | 40.3 | rowspan=3|480i || MeTV-AR || MeTV |- ! scope = "row" | 40.4 | STORY || Story Television |- ! scope = "row" | 40.5 | Nosey || Nosey |}
{| class = wikitable |+Subchannels of KHOG-TV<ref>{{cite web|title=RabbitEars TV Query for KHOG|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KHOG#station|website=RabbitEars|access-date=August 5, 2017}}</ref> ! scope = "col"|Channel ! scope = "col"|Res. ! scope = "col"|Aspect ! scope = "col"|Short name ! scope = "col"|Programming |- ! scope = "row" | 29.1 | rowspan=2|720p || rowspan=5|16:9 || KHOG-DT || ABC |- ! scope = "row" | 29.2 | ARK-CW || The CW Plus |- ! scope = "row" | 29.3 | rowspan=3|480i || MeTV-AR || MeTV |- ! scope = "row" | 29.4 | Ion || Ion Plus |- ! scope = "row" | 29.5 | HSN || HSN |}
===Analog-to-digital conversion=== Both stations ended regular programming on their analog signals, respectively on June 12, 2009, the official date on which full-power television stations in the United States transitioned from analog to digital broadcasts under federal mandate. The station's digital channel allocations post-transition are as follows:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and the Second Rounds |access-date=March 24, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829004251/http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |archive-date=August 29, 2013 }}</ref> * KHBS ended regular programming on its analog signal, over UHF channel 40; the station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition UHF channel 21, using virtual channel 40. * KHOG-TV ended regular programming on its analog signal, over UHF channel 29; the station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition UHF channel 15, using virtual channel 29.
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{Official website|https://www.4029tv.com/|name=www.4029tv.com}} - KHBS-KHOG official website
{{Fort Smith TV}} {{Arkansas TV}} {{Oklahoma TV}} {{Hearst-Argyle}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Khbs}} Category:1971 establishments in Arkansas Category:American Broadcasting Company affiliates Category:The CW affiliates Category:Hearst Television Category:MeTV affiliates Category:Story Television affiliates Category:Television channels and stations established in 1971 HBS