{{Short description|Television station in Phoenix, Arizona}} {{Featured article}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}} {{Infobox television station | callsign = KNXV-TV | logo = KNXV (2022).svg | logo_alt = Three boxes. In the top-left box, the black ABC logo on a yellow background. In the top-right box, a white sans serif 15 on a black background. On the bottom, the white lettering "ARIZONA" in a sans serif on a black background. | logo_size = 200px | branding = ABC 15 Arizona; ''ABC 15 News'' | digital = 15 (UHF) | virtual = 15 | translators = ''see {{section link||Translators}}'' | affiliations = {{ubl|'''15.1:''' ABC|''for others, see {{section link||Technical information and subchannels}}''}} | owner = E. W. Scripps Company | licensee = Scripps Broadcasting Holdings LLC | location = Phoenix, Arizona | country = United States | airdate = {{start date|1979|09|09}} | callsign_meaning = Intended original "Newswatch" format; XV is the Roman numeral for 15 | sister_stations = KASW | former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|'''Analog:''' 15 (UHF, 1979–2009)|'''Digital:''' 56 (UHF, 2000<ref>{{Cite book|chapter=KNXV-DT|title=Television & Cable Factbook|date=2006|page=A-120|quote=Began Operation: January 12, 2000. Standard and High Definition.}}</ref>–2009)}} | former_affiliations = {{ubl|Independent (1979–1986, 1994–1995)|ON TV (1979–1983)|Fox (1986–1994)|ABC (secondary, 1994–1995)|The CW (DT2, 2023–2024)}} | erp = 550 kW | haat = {{convert|544.2|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} | facility_id = 59440 | coordinates = {{Coord|33|20|3.2|N|112|3|40.5|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}} | licensing_authority = FCC | website = {{url|abc15.com}} }}
'''KNXV-TV''' (channel 15) is a television station in Phoenix, Arizona, United States, affiliated with ABC. It was established in 1979 as the Phoenix area's second independent station with part-time subscription television programming from ON TV. It was originally owned by the New Television Corporation, which had attempted to set up the station for nearly five years prior to its launch. In 1985, Scripps-Howard Broadcasting, the broadcast division of the E. W. Scripps Company, acquired KNXV-TV. Channel 15 affiliated with Fox in 1986 and became the leading independent in the market, one of Fox's strongest affiliates. In 1994, Fox announced a multi-city affiliation agreement with New World Communications which included Phoenix's then-CBS affiliate, KSAZ-TV, and mostly CBS affiliates in several other major markets. CBS expressed interest in affiliating with Scripps's ABC affiliates in other cities and Scripps used this as leverage to force ABC to move its Phoenix affiliation from market leader KTVK to KNXV-TV beginning in January 1995.
The station was in the process of organizing a local newsroom when the switch was announced and aired its first newscast on August 1, 1994; ''News 15'' received critical acclaim in its early years but sank in ratings and quality in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The news department recovered, expanding the number of local newscasts it produced, and has since received three George Foster Peabody Awards. In 2019, Scripps acquired a second Phoenix station, KASW (channel 61), which was the CW affiliate for Phoenix. The CW affiliation briefly moved to a subchannel of KNXV-TV to allow channel 61 to air Arizona Coyotes hockey games. The two stations share studios on 44th Street on Phoenix's east side; KNXV-TV's transmitter is located atop South Mountain. Its signal is relayed across northern Arizona through a network of low-power translators.
==History== ===Independent station (1979–1986)=== In February 1975, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted a construction permit to New Television Corporation to build a new UHF television station on channel 15 in Phoenix. The company's president was Edwin Cooperstein,<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 19, 1975 |title=Another television station approved for Phoenix |agency=UPI |page=24 |work=Tucson Daily Citizen |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/28879501/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226034412/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/28879501/another-television-station-approved-for/ |archive-date=December 26, 2021}}</ref> who had started New Jersey's WNJU-TV in the 1960s before moving to Phoenix.<ref name="Ariz900607">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/arizona-republic-talk-show-network-will/148031265/|date=June 7, 1990|page=E5|first=Greg|last=Joseph|title=Talk-show network will start in Phoenix|newspaper=The Arizona Republic|location=Phoenix, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 25, 2024}}</ref><!-- Thu --> New Television Corporation expected to begin broadcasting within a year and was intended to place a heavy emphasis on news programming, airing three 90-minute newscasts at different times between 4 p.m. and midnight.<ref name="Yuma750221">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-yuma-daily-sun-new-phoenix-tv-to-str/40666865/|date=February 21, 1975|page= 13|agency=Associated Press|title=New Phoenix TV to stress news programs|newspaper=The Yuma Daily Sun|location=Yuma, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 25, 2024}}</ref><!-- Fri --> The lone legacy of this intended format was the station's call sign, KNXV-TV, standing for "Newswatch 15" (the "XV" stood for 15 in Roman numerals).<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 18, 1975 |title=New TV station gets call letters |page=D-11 |work=The Arizona Republic |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/28638278/new_tv_station_gets_call_letters/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430034834/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/28638278/new_tv_station_gets_call_letters/ |archive-date=April 30, 2019}}</ref> Plans were soon delayed due to the inability to secure financing in a difficult economy, and by the end of 1976, the station had not been built.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 4, 1977 |title=Phoenix TV station can't go on air |page=3 |work=Arizona Daily Sun |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/28879533/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226034412/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/28879533/phoenix-tv-station-cant-go-on-air/ |archive-date=December 26, 2021}}</ref> In 1977, Cooperstein and his investors sold a majority of New Television Corporation to Byron Lasky's Arlington Corporation.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Melvold |first=Doug |date=January 4, 1977 |title=Funding problems delay start-up of television station |page=A8 |work=The Arizona Republic |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33724071/funding-problems-delay-start-up-of-telev/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226034412/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33724071/funding-problems-delay-start-up-of/ |archive-date=December 26, 2021}}</ref> Lasky eventually launched or purchased three other stations: WTTO in Birmingham, Alabama; WCGV-TV in Milwaukee; and WQTV in Boston.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 2, 1986 |title=In brief |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-06-02.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108151228/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-06-02.pdf |archive-date=November 8, 2021 |access-date=December 27, 2021 |work=Broadcasting |page=104 |via=World Radio History}}</ref>
In late 1978, plans were made to launch the station the next year. The catalyst and financial backer was Oak Industries, which would broadcast the ON TV subscription television service in evening hours while New Television would program the station during the day as a commercial independent station, airing first-run and off-network syndicated shows and children's programs.<ref name="phxjuly">{{Cite news |date=November 28, 1978 |title=Subscription TV will begin in July |page=B-6 |work=The Arizona Republic |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61488828/subscription-tv-will-begin-in-july/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028220145/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61488828/subscription-tv-will-begin-in-july/ |archive-date=October 28, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> KNXV-TV began broadcasting on September 9, 1979, more than four and a half years after the construction permit was granted.<ref name="knxvonair">{{Cite news |date=September 9, 1979 |title=Today the UHF station ... |page=TV Digest 2 |work=The Arizona Republic |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33724058/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313004132/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33724058/here-comes-knxv/ |archive-date=March 13, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> One early station promotion featured the "Bluebird of Happinews", with the voice of Elroy "Buzz" Towers (who was voiced by an early station master control and videotape operator) in an invisible sky-blue helicopter taking jabs at local news on other stations.<ref name="Ariz810113">{{Cite news |last=Price |first=Hardy |date=January 13, 1981 |title=People and places |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97980459/people-and-places/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320022930/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97980459/people-and-places/ |archive-date=March 20, 2022 |access-date=March 20, 2022 |work=The Arizona Republic |location=Phoenix, Arizona |page=B7 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><!-- Tue --><ref>{{Cite news |last=Wilkinson |first=Bud |date=April 5, 1987 |title=Wearing the fox: Channel 15 wraps itself in a class image |page=F17 |work=The Arizona Republic |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/65455833/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226034413/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/65455833/wearing-the-fox-channel-15-wraps/ |archive-date=December 26, 2021}}</ref>
In Phoenix, ON TV held telecast rights at various times to ASU sports, the Phoenix Suns,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Frauenheim |first=Norm |date=October 17, 1979 |title=Suns top poor-shooting Sonics |page=E1 |work=The Arizona Republic |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/28879651/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226034413/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/28879651/suns-top-poor-shooting-sonics/ |archive-date=December 26, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 12, 1980 |title=Another ON TV exclusive! |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/28879670/see-12-home-games-of-the-phoenix/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204024827/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/28879670/see-12-home-games-of-the-phoenix/ |archive-date=December 4, 2020 |access-date=October 27, 2020 |website=The Arizona Republic |page=TV Digest 40 |type=Advertisement |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Phoenix Giants minor league baseball and Los Angeles Kings hockey. By July 1982, ON TV had 39,000 subscribers in Phoenix, but sporting events and subscribers were moving from subscription television to cable. In 1981, the Suns signed a 13-year agreement to telecast games through American Cable, resulting in the launch of the Arizona Sports Programming Network;<ref>{{Cite news |last=Frauenheim |first=Norm |date=August 8, 1981 |title=Suns, American Cable TV sign 13-year contract |page=G1 |work=The Arizona Republic |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53909125/ |url-status=live |access-date=June 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226034458/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53909125/suns-american-cable-tv-sign-13-year/ |archive-date=December 26, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> American Cable sub-licensed games to ON TV, partly because they had not yet wired all of the metropolitan area.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Frauenheim |first=Norm |date=October 23, 1981 |title=ON-TV to carry 10 Suns games this season |page=F1 |work=The Arizona Republic |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/28879594/ |access-date=October 27, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> KNXV-TV was at times uncooperative with ON TV's programming plans; the station resisted a request to expand ON TV to start before 7 p.m. on weekdays and 5 p.m. on weekends, and it threatened to stop airing ON TV's "adults only" late-night fare.<ref name="phxhalt">{{Cite news |last=Wilkinson |first=Bud |date=April 14, 1983 |title=ON TV planning to halt programming to Valley |pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/28879617/on-tv-plans-to-halt-programming-to/ A12] |work=The Arizona Republic |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61984015/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313004639/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61984015/on-tv-planning-to-halt-programming-to/ |archive-date=March 13, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> ON TV sued KNXV over its refusal to cede early evening hours, which generated 60 percent of the station's revenue.<ref name="phxcourt">{{Cite news |last=Wilkinson |first=Bud |date=February 17, 1983 |title=ON TV, Channel 15 to air differences on contract in court |pages=D11, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61853394/ D15] |work=The Arizona Republic |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61853304/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313004640/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61853304/on-tv-channel-15-to-air-differences-on/ |archive-date=March 13, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
Phoenix was one of the first ON TV markets to show serious subscriber erosion. By April 1983, its subscriber base had dipped below 25,000—a drop of more than 35 percent. Oak Communications ultimately shuttered ON TV in Phoenix on May 4, 1983, resulting in the loss of 140 jobs.{{r|phxhalt}} KNXV then became a full-time general-entertainment independent station, relying on a movie library and syndicated shows not already owned by KPHO-TV (channel 5)—the established independent in Phoenix—or the network affiliates.<ref name="Ariz830426">{{Cite news |last=Wilkinson |first=Bud |date=April 26, 1983 |title=Channel 15 plugs movies into prime-time schedule |page=C8 |work=The Arizona Republic |location=Phoenix, Arizona |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91155217/channel-15-plugs-movies-into-prime-time/ |access-date=December 26, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=December 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226044152/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91155217/channel-15-plugs-movies-into-prime-time/ |url-status=live }}</ref><!-- Tue -->
===Scripps purchase and Fox affiliation=== After going full-time with the end of ON TV, potential buyers expressed interest in acquiring channel 15. Cooperstein rebuffed a $22 million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|22000000|1984}}}} in {{inflation/year|US}}{{Inflation/fn|US-GDP}}) bid from the Tribune Company but accepted a $30 million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|30000000|1984}}}} in {{inflation/year|US}}{{Inflation/fn|US-GDP}}) offer from Scripps-Howard in 1984; the sale was finalized in 1985 after Scripps was required by the FCC to divest itself of radio stations KMEO-AM-FM.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wilkinson |first=Bud |date=January 9, 1985 |title=Scripps-Howard wins OK to buy KNXV-TV |page=C1 |work=The Arizona Republic |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33915447/scripps-howard-wins-ok-to-buy-knxv-tv/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427004926/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33915447/scripps-howard-wins-ok-to-buy-knxv-tv/ |archive-date=April 27, 2021}}</ref>
The new owner's connections showed in a program KNXV debuted shortly after the sale. In mid-1985, KNXV began producing ''Friday Night at the Frights'' starring "Edmus Scarey" (portrayed by Ed Muscare), a series of hosted B-movies. Ed Muscare had previously hosted shows for another Scripps station, KSHB-TV in Kansas City. Stu Powell, general manager of KNXV in the mid-1980s and former KSHB-TV general manager, coaxed Muscare out of retirement to work in Phoenix. Muscare resigned in September 1986, shortly before being arrested on charges of sexual battery with a minor stemming from an incident in Florida.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wilkinson |first=Bud |date=October 16, 1986 |title='Edmus' arrested on sexual charges |page=A7 |work=The Arizona Republic |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/65456107/ |access-date=December 16, 2020}}</ref> The station also became the over-the-air broadcaster of the Suns again;<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wilkinson |first=Bud |date=May 24, 1985 |title=Channel 15, Phoenix Suns agree on pact for '85–86 season |page=F12 |work=The Arizona Republic |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85888162/channel-15-phoenix-suns-agree-on-pact-f/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925044555/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85888162/channel-15-phoenix-suns-agree-on-pact/ |archive-date=September 25, 2021}}</ref> it lost the rights to televise the team's games to KUTP (channel 45) in 1988<ref>{{Cite news|work=Broadcasting|title=Basketball '88: The National Basketball Association|page=42|id={{ProQuest|1016925563}}|date=October 24, 1988}}</ref> with the figure increasing to 30 beginning in the 1990–91 season.<ref name="Ariz900831">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-republic-50-game-local-tv-packag/133416243/|date=August 31, 1990|page=D7|title=50-game local TV package Suns' most ambitious ever|newspaper=The Arizona Republic|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 14, 2023}}</ref><!-- Fri --> KNXV beat out KPHO-TV and KUTP to become Phoenix's Fox affiliate at the network's inception on October 9, 1986; as Fox's first and only program was ''The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers'', KNXV remained essentially independent.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wilkinson |first=Bud |date=July 2, 1986 |title=PBS series provides a close-up look at life of Soviet citizens |page=E9 |work=The Arizona Republic |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29343682/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226034459/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29343682/pbs-series-provides-a-close-up-look-at/ |archive-date=December 26, 2021}}</ref><ref name="Ariz861005">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/arizona-republic-in-character-pam-dawbe/148031645/|date=October 5, 1986|page=TV 3|first=Bud|last=Wilkinson|title=In character: Pam Dawber teams up again in 'Sister Sam'|newspaper=The Arizona Republic|location=Phoenix, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 25, 2024}}</ref><!-- Sun --> The station had a unique view of the development of the network, as general manager Powell sat on Fox's first board of governors; he would remark of the early days, "The only definition of failure at Fox at that time was not trying things."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Washburn |first=Mark |date=May 26, 2007 |title=TV exec will leave WCNC post in August |page=1D |work=The Charlotte Observer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/65607268/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313013325/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/65607268/tv-exec-will-leave-wcnc-post-in-august/ |archive-date=March 13, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
During this period, KNXV made steady gains. By 1990, channel 15 had surpassed KPHO in total-day ratings, even though the station still produced no local newscasts,<ref name="Ariz901204">{{Cite news |last=Joseph |first=Greg |date=December 4, 1990 |title=Nielsen 'sweeps' cloud ratings picture |page=D6 |work=The Arizona Republic |location=Phoenix, Arizona |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/34063708/nielsen-sweeps-cloud-ratings-picture/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711204729/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/34063708/nielsen-sweeps-cloud-ratings-picture/ |archive-date=July 11, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><!-- Tue --> and it was regularly appearing as one of the top five Fox affiliates by ratings in the country.<ref name="Ariz900328">{{Cite news |last=Joseph |first=Greg |date=March 28, 1990 |title='Married', 'Simpsons' hand Fox a local ratings victory |page=C2 |work=The Arizona Republic |location=Phoenix, Arizona |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91141773/married-simpsons-hand-fox-a-local-r/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226034500/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91141773/married-simpsons-hand-fox-a-local/ |archive-date=December 26, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><!-- Wed --> While KPHO attempted to woo Fox away with its existing news operation, KNXV retained the affiliation, having become by 1992 the second most successful Fox affiliate in ratings after KTXL in Sacramento, California.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Holsopple |first=Barbara |date=September 26, 1992 |title=KOY-FM's Kelly resigns, citing personal reasons |page=B11 |work= Phoenix Gazette |id={{ProQuest|245820062}}}}</ref>
===ABC affiliate (1995–present)=== {{see|1994–1996 United States broadcast television realignment}} On May 22, 1994, New World Communications signed a long-term groupwide affiliation agreement with Fox<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lowry |first=Brian |date=July 18, 1996 |title=New World vision: Murdoch's News Corp. to buy broadcast group |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-07-18-fi-25271-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110914122323/http://articles.latimes.com/1996-07-18/business/fi-25271_1_rupert-murdoch-s-news-corp |archive-date=September 14, 2011 |access-date=June 22, 2012 |work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> that would result in longtime CBS affiliate KSAZ-TV (channel 10), which New World was in the process of acquiring, becoming the Phoenix area's new Fox affiliate. The deal also affected the two other Fox stations owned by Scripps-Howard, KSHB-TV and WFTS-TV in Tampa. New World also owned CBS affiliates switching to Fox in Detroit and Cleveland. CBS was highly interested in moving to the successful Scripps-owned ABC affiliates—WXYZ-TV and WEWS-TV—in these markets, which ABC estimated to generate half a rating point by themselves for ''World News Tonight'', per a declaration made by KTVK general manager Bill Miller in an FCC filing.<ref name="millerdec">{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=William |date=October 29, 1995 |title=Declaration of William Miller |url=https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filing/151886 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630063726/https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filing/151886 |archive-date=June 30, 2021 |access-date=March 16, 2021 |website=Comments of Southern Broadcast Corporation of Sarasota |publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}</ref>{{rp|16}}<ref>{{Cite news|work=Phoenix Gazette|title=Valley TV affiliate switch produced dark moments|date=August 25, 1994|page=A1|first=Barbara|last=Holsopple|id={{ProQuest|245954887}} }}</ref> Miller described a pressure campaign led by Scripps to coerce a reluctant ABC to switch from longtime affiliate and market leader KTVK by threatening disaffiliation in Detroit and Cleveland, having been told by ABC executive Bryce Rathbone that "Scripps has a gun to their head".{{r|millerdec|pages=9, 16}} Meanwhile, KNXV general manager Raymond Hunt was receiving calls congratulating him on KNXV's new CBS affiliation, even though no such deal had been made.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Holsopple |first=Barbara |date=June 3, 1994 |title=KNXV-15 may be new CBS affiliate |page=A1 |work=Phoenix Gazette |id={{ProQuest|245946658}}}}</ref>
On June 15, 1994, ABC officially gave KNXV-TV its affiliation for Phoenix, effective January 9, 1995, and agreed to affiliate with Scripps-owned stations in Tampa and Baltimore.<ref name="Ariz940616">{{Cite news |last=Walker |first=Dave |date=June 16, 1994 |title=ABC drops Ch. 3 after 40 years |page=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33050880/abc-to-drop-ch-3-after-40-years/ A15] |work=The Arizona Republic |location=Phoenix, Arizona |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33050851/abc-drops-ch-3-after-40-years/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226034726/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33050851/abc-drops-ch-3-after-40-years/ |archive-date=December 26, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><!-- Thu --><ref name="b&c-knxvtoabc">{{Cite news |last=Folsle |first=Geoffrey |date=June 20, 1994|id={{ProQuest|227327540}} |title=ABC pre-empts CBS in Cleveland, Detroit |page=7 |work=Broadcasting & Cable |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1994/BC-1994-06-20.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=December 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226034537/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1994/BC-1994-06-20.pdf |archive-date=December 26, 2021}}</ref> KNXV was in the advanced stages of building a local news department when the affiliation switch was announced; in September 1993, the station had hired its first news director, and the station's newly hired staff of 30 had reported to Phoenix in the weeks before the New World deal was announced.<ref name="outfoxed">{{Cite news |last=Walker |first=Dave |date=August 1, 1994 |title=The ABC's of local news: Station recovers from being out-Foxed |pages=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29144470/ C2] |work=The Arizona Republic |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29144006/ |access-date=December 16, 2020}}</ref> As a result of the switch and the consequent demand for more newscasts, the news staff expanded to 85, and the station delayed the launch of its newscast a month to August 1.{{r|outfoxed}} KTVK's loss of the ABC affiliation was attributed to it being a standalone, family-run operation, while Scripps held substantial clout as a major broadcast chain.<ref name="outmuscled">{{Cite news |last=Muller |first=Bill |date=June 30, 1994 |title=Family-owned Ch. 3 outmuscled for prize |pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92131509/arizona-republic/ A7] |work=The Arizona Republic |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33050928/eye-say-channel-5-called-up-to-majors/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630063726/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33050928/eye-say-channel-5-called-up-to-majors/ |archive-date=June 30, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
Over the second half of 1994, ABC programming migrated from KTVK to KNXV in stages as the outgoing affiliate shed a variety of its soon-to-be former network's offerings. When KTVK launched a local morning newscast at the end of August, ''Good Morning America'' was the first ABC program to move to KNXV. KNXV then picked up ''World News Tonight'' and ''Nightline'' on December 12, the day after the Fox affiliation ended.<ref name="Ariz941202">{{Cite news |last=Walker |first=Dave |date=December 2, 1994 |title=Channel 15 receives good news: Jennings, Koppel moving in early |page=E17 |work=The Arizona Republic |location=Phoenix, Arizona |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80525574/channel-15-receives-good-news/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630063736/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80525574/channel-15-receives-good-news/ |archive-date=June 30, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><!-- Fri --> The rest of ABC's programming moved to KNXV on January 9, 1995.<ref name="Ariz950107">{{Cite news |last=Bravo |first=Al |date=January 7, 1995 |title=Channel-switching ends soon |page=3 |work=Arizona Daily Sun |agency=Associated Press |location=Flagstaff, Arizona |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91143692/channel-switching-ends-soon/ |access-date=December 25, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><!-- Sat --><ref name="Ariz950108">{{Cite news |last=Walker |first=Dave |date=January 8, 1995 |title=Channel hopping takes final turn for Valley viewers |page=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91143772/channel-changes-end-at-last/ A19], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91143787/ A20] |work=The Arizona Republic |location=Phoenix, Arizona |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91143734/channel-hopping-takes-final-turn-for/ |access-date=December 25, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><!-- Sun -->{{efn|KNXV became the third station in Phoenix to affiliate with ABC. The network had previously affiliated with channel 10 (then known as KOOL-TV) from 1954 to 1955,<ref name="Ariz541230">{{Cite news |date=December 30, 1954 |title=Next June 15: KOOL-TV will get CBS affiliation |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90601657/next-june-15-kool-tv-will-get-cbs-affil/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211218044103/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90601657/next-june-15-kool-tv-will-get-cbs/ |archive-date=December 18, 2021 |access-date=December 15, 2021 |work=The Arizona Republic |location=Phoenix, Arizona |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> when it moved to the newly launched KTVK.<ref name="Ariz950107"/>}}
===New studios and 2007 helicopter crash=== thumb|right|KNXV-TV's studio facility in Phoenix, opened 1999|alt=A two-story office building with ABC15 logo signage In 1999, the station moved to a new $31 million studio facility that included two studios and a helipad;<ref>{{Cite news |last=Munn |first=Laurie |date=June 21, 1999 |title=Art consultants finding a niche in corporate design |work=Phoenix Business Journal |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/1999/06/21/focus3.html |url-status=live |access-date=December 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030515050502/http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/1999/06/21/focus3.html |archive-date=May 15, 2003}}</ref> KDRX-LP, the low-power Telemundo affiliate, then acquired KNXV's former building in 2001, allowing it to start producing its own local newscasts;<ref>{{Cite news |last=Davis Hudson |first=Eileen |date=January 11, 2001 |title=Phoenix |pages=12–18 |work=Mediaweek |id={{ProQuest|213644438}} }}</ref> KNXV-TV had previously produced KDRX's first local news program in 1997.<ref name="Ariz971019">{{Cite news |last=Walker |first=Dave |date=October 19, 1997 |title=Producers aim to put new spin on 'Keenen' show |page=G2 |work=The Arizona Republic |location=Phoenix, Arizona |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91202158/producers-aim-to-put-new-spin-on-keenen/ |access-date=December 27, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222163637/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91202158/producers-aim-to-put-new-spin-on/ |url-status=live }}</ref><!-- Sun --> Scripps opted to centralize its advertising traffic operation at hubs in Phoenix and Tampa in 2009, choosing Phoenix as one of its westernmost properties at the time, allowing the traffic hub to stay open later.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Malone |first=Michael |date=July 13, 2009 |title=New Scripps hubs spell downsizing |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/new-scripps-hubs-spell-downsizing-41802 |work=Broadcasting & Cable}}</ref>
220px|thumb|alt=A black, gray, and yellow helicopter on a landing pad|The KNXV-TV helicopter, "Air 15", destroyed in the 2007 collision On July 27, 2007, two news helicopters leased to KNXV and KTVK collided while covering a police pursuit in downtown Phoenix.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 27, 2007 |title=4 dead as 2 helicopters tracking police pursuit collide |url=http://www.kpho.com/news/13770683/detail.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927030213/http://www.kpho.com/news/13770683/detail.html |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |access-date=July 27, 2007 |website=KPHO-TV}}</ref> All four people on both helicopters were killed, including KNXV pilot Craig Smith and photographer Rick Krolak.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 28, 2007 |title=4 dead in ABC15, Channel 3 chopper crash |work=KNXV-TV |url=http://www.abc15.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=3440f3ba-b741-47ee-948b-d82997dcdeda |url-status=dead |access-date=July 28, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070903231856/http://www.abc15.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=3440f3ba-b741-47ee-948b-d82997dcdeda |archive-date=September 3, 2007}}</ref>
KNXV-TV shut down its analog signal, over UHF channel 15, at 12:01 a.m. 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. At 2 a.m. on that date, the station's digital signal relocated from its pre-transition UHF channel 56, which was among the high band UHF channels (52–69) that were removed from broadcasting use as a result of the transition, to its analog-era UHF channel 15.<ref>{{Cite web |title=DTV tentative channel designations for the first and second rounds |url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |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 |access-date=March 24, 2012}}</ref><ref name="FCCForm387">{{Cite web |date=March 12, 2009 |title=DTV transition status report |url=http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101299733&formid=387&fac_num=59440 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226034445/https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101299733&formid=387&fac_num=59440 |archive-date=December 26, 2021 |access-date=March 19, 2009 |website=Consolidated Database System|publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}</ref>
===Duopoly with KASW and CW affiliation shuffle=== {{see|KASW}} Scripps has since expanded its operations in Phoenix and the state. Its 2015 acquisition of Journal Communications included KGUN-TV and KWBA-TV, the ABC and CW affiliates in Tucson. On March 20, 2019, Scripps announced that it would acquire Phoenix's affiliate of The CW, KASW, and seven other stations from Nexstar Media Group as part of that company's proposed acquisition of Tribune Media. This would create a new duopoly between KNXV and KASW, the third in the Phoenix market after Fox Television Stations's KSAZ-TV/KUTP and Meredith Corporation's KPHO-TV/KTVK.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Farrell |first=Mike |date=March 20, 2019 |title=Scripps, Tegna to buy 19 Nexstar stations |url=https://www.multichannel.com/news/scripps-tegna-to-buy-19-nexstar-stations |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921093223/https://www.multichannel.com/news/scripps-tegna-to-buy-19-nexstar-stations |archive-date=September 21, 2019 |access-date=March 20, 2019 |website=Multichannel |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hayes |first=Dade |date=March 20, 2019 |title=Nexstar sells off TV stations worth $1.3B, including New York's WPIX |url=https://deadline.com/2019/03/nexstar-sells-off-tv-stations-worth-1-3b-including-new-yorks-wpix-1202579017/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330195049/https://deadline.com/2019/03/nexstar-sells-off-tv-stations-worth-1-3b-including-new-yorks-wpix-1202579017/ |archive-date=March 30, 2019 |access-date=March 21, 2019 |website=Deadline |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Ahmed |first1=Nabila |last2=Sakoui |first2=Anousha |date=March 20, 2019 |title=Nexstar to sell stations to Tegna, Scripps for $1.32 billion |work=Bloomberg News |publisher=Bloomberg, L.P. |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-20/nexstar-to-sell-19-stations-to-tegna-scripps-for-1-32-billion |url-status=live |access-date=September 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413200225/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-20/nexstar-to-sell-19-stations-to-tegna-scripps-for-1-32-billion |archive-date=April 13, 2019}}</ref> The sale was approved by the FCC on September 16 and was completed on September 19, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Micheli |first=Carolyn |date=September 19, 2019 |title=Scripps closes acquisition of eight TV stations from Nexstar-Tribune merger divestitures |url=https://scripps.com/press-releases/scripps-closes-acquisition-of-eight-tv-stations-from-nexstar-tribune-merger-divestitures/ |access-date=December 26, 2021 |website=Scripps |language=en |archive-date=February 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225141145/https://scripps.com/press-releases/scripps-closes-acquisition-of-eight-tv-stations-from-nexstar-tribune-merger-divestitures/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
On October 5, 2023, the Arizona Coyotes announced their departure from the troubled regional sports network Bally Sports Arizona as, during its parent company's bankruptcy, the network rejected the Coyotes' contract. That same day, the team and Scripps Sports announced a new contract. As part of the deal, games would be broadcast by KNXV in Phoenix and Scripps stations in other markets. Because of network programming commitments between KNXV and KASW, most games would air on KNXV's second subchannel, which usually carries Antenna TV, though both stations would carry surrounding Coyotes team content on their main channels (such as the monthly magazine program ''Coyotes Insider'').<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nhl/coyotes/2023/10/05/arizona-coyotes-bally-sports-tv-deal/71071505007/|title=Arizona Coyotes land TV deal with Scripps Sports|last=Ortiz|first=Jenna|date=October 5, 2023|work=The Arizona Republic|access-date=October 5, 2023|archive-date=May 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505021548/https://subscribe.azcentral.com/restricted?return=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.azcentral.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fnhl%2Fcoyotes%2F2023%2F10%2F05%2Farizona-coyotes-bally-sports-tv-deal%2F71071505007%2F&gps-source=CPROADBLOCKDH&sltsgmt=0051v2_A|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=November 15, 2023 |title=Arizona Coyotes moving to new home with Scripps Sports |url=https://www.nhl.com/coyotes/news/coyotes-moving-to-new-home-with-scripps |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116172109/https://www.nhl.com/coyotes/news/coyotes-moving-to-new-home-with-scripps |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |access-date=November 16, 2023 |website=Arizona Coyotes |language=en}}</ref>
Scripps announced on November 16 that The CW would move to KNXV's second subchannel as "CW 6 Arizona" beginning November 20, freeing up KASW to become an independent station and air subsequent Coyotes games. The subchannel continued to carry programming from Antenna TV in all other time periods and assumed KASW's former cable channel 6 allotment on Cox Communications in the Phoenix metro area.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dachman |first=Jason |date=November 17, 2023 |title=Arizona Coyotes move to new Scripps Sports OTA station |url=https://www.sportsvideo.org/2023/11/17/arizona-coyotes-move-to-new-scripps-sports-ota-station/ |access-date=November 21, 2023 |website=Sports Video Group |language=en |archive-date=November 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231121031525/https://www.sportsvideo.org/2023/11/17/arizona-coyotes-move-to-new-scripps-sports-ota-station/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The affiliation lasted less than three months on KNXV 15.2; effective February 1, 2024, the network moved to KAZT-TV (channel 7) after CW owner Nexstar Media Group entered into a time brokerage agreement with KAZT-TV's owner, Londen Media Group, to program that station.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 8, 2024 |title=Nexstar Media enters into time brokerage agreement with KAZT-TV in Phoenix, Arizona |url=https://www.nexstar.tv/nexstar-enters-into-time-brokerage-agreement-with-kazt-tv-in-phoenix/ |access-date=January 8, 2024 |publisher=Nexstar Media Group |language=en-US |archive-date=January 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108130303/https://www.nexstar.tv/nexstar-enters-into-time-brokerage-agreement-with-kazt-tv-in-phoenix/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Local programming== ===News operation=== In 1993, Scripps announced that it would start a local newscast for KNXV in 1994. It had already started a 9 p.m. local newscast for one of its other Fox affiliates, KSHB-TV in Kansas City, and the proposed newscast was intended to be unconventional to match the target demographic of Fox network programming. A news director had been hired in September 1993;<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chadwell |first=Teena |date=September 17, 1993 |title=Fox station plans newscast |page=2 |work=Phoenix Business Journal |id={{ProQuest|225095983}} }}</ref> the set was already under construction; and anchors and staff had reported to Phoenix in the first weeks of May 1994. However, the New World deal and consequent affiliation switch to ABC occurred late in the development of the newscast. This forced Scripps to rethink both the product to go out on air and the long-term trajectory of KNXV's news department. As a result, the intended style was toned down slightly; a staff of 30 was expanded to 85;<ref name="KNXV ABC">{{Cite news |last=Meisler |first=Andy |date=August 29, 1994 |title=Murdoch's raid brings a shuffling of TV stations in Phoenix |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/08/29/business/murdoch-s-raid-brings-a-shuffling-of-tv-stations-in-phoenix.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907214415/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/08/29/business/murdoch-s-raid-brings-a-shuffling-of-tv-stations-in-phoenix.html |archive-date=September 7, 2017 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> and what was once a 9 p.m. newscast slated to launch July 7 turned into a 10 p.m. newscast, ''News 15'', that debuted on August 1, 1994.{{r|outfoxed}} The new newscast was fast-paced with a high story count, and it was also the start of a rapid expansion to fit the needs of a Big Three affiliate. A 6 p.m. newscast soon followed, with a 5 p.m. show added in December{{r|Ariz941202}} and 6 and 11 a.m. programs in January 1995.<ref name="Ariz950106">{{Cite news |last=Walker |first=Dave |date=January 6, 1995 |title=News anchor continue to proliferate amid wave of returning news moms |page=D17 |work=The Arizona Republic |location=Phoenix, Arizona |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91143660/news-anchor-continue-to-proliferate/ |access-date=December 26, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><!-- Fri -->
The founding news director, Mary Cox, soon exited; she was replaced by Susan Sullivan, who created an environment focused on enterprise and investigative reporting that employees described as "utopian".<ref name="newtimes">{{Cite news |last=Ortega |first=Tony |date=April 3, 1997 |title=Chit happens |work=Phoenix New Times |url=http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/1997-04-03/news/chit-happens/full/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 2, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221095034/http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/1997-04-03/news/chit-happens/full/ |archive-date=February 21, 2014}}</ref> Bob Rowe, a station manager "excommunicated" by Scripps to Phoenix, was just as influential in the early years of KNXV's news operation, laying the groundwork for a "no chit-chat" approach. The resulting news product attracted increased viewership: ''News 15'' rose as high as second place at one point. It also led to critical acclaim: in 1995, channel 15 won the most regional Emmy Award nominations for a Phoenix station.{{r|newtimes}} After Sullivan left the station in 1996, Michael Kronley was installed as station manager from Charlotte ABC affiliate WSOC-TV. Under Kronley, the investigative reports were discontinued and replaced by more live shots, and the station acquired a helicopter.{{r|newtimes}} KNXV and KPHO both adopted the slogan "Live, Local, Late Breaking", requiring KPHO to alter its version<ref name="Ariz970207">{{Cite news |last=Walker |first=Dave |date=February 7, 1997 |title=Channel 15 scraps 'No chitchat,' rolls L's like Channel 5 |page=D17 |work=The Arizona Republic |location=Phoenix, Arizona |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87032612/channel-15-scraps-no-chitchat-rolls/ |access-date=December 26, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><!-- Fri --> and ultimately leading KNXV to adopt a new slogan, "We won't waste your time".<ref name="Ariz980211">{{Cite news |last=Walker |first=Dave |date=February 11, 1998 |title=Latest news: Channel 5 re-creates itself — again |page=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43277487/ C5] |work=The Arizona Republic |location=Phoenix, Arizona |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43277462/latest-news-channel-5-re-creates/ |url-status=live |access-date=November 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126045406/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43277462/latest-news-channel-5-re-creates/ |archive-date=November 26, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><!-- Wed --> Under Jeff Klotzman, channel 15's fourth news director,{{r|newtimes}} ratings generally fell for the station's newscasts; he resigned in 1998 and was replaced by Bob Morford,<ref name="Ariz980801">{{Cite news |date=August 1, 1998 |title=Ch. 15 news chief resigns |page=D12 |work=The Arizona Republic |location=Phoenix, Arizona |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91150409/ch-15-news-chief-resigns/ |access-date=December 26, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><!-- Sat --> whose format tended to deemphasize reporters.<ref name="Ariz000610">{{Cite news |last=Clancy |first=Mike |date=June 10, 2000 |title=KNXV news aims to be different |page=E4 |work=The Arizona Republic |location=Phoenix, Arizona |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/73887303/knxv-news-aims-to-be-different/ |access-date=December 26, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><!-- Sat --> A 2000 ''Columbia Journalism Review'' study of local newscasts nationwide gave KNXV an "F" rating for its short stories lacking investigations and mentioned sources,<ref name="Ariz001118">{{Cite news |last=Clancy |first=Mike |date=November 18, 2000 |title=Ch. 3 aces, 15 flunks newscast survey |page=E7 |work=The Arizona Republic |location=Phoenix, Arizona |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90735519/ch-3-aces-15-flunks-newscast-survey/ |access-date=December 26, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><!-- Sat --> though it praised the focus on local issues and geographic diversity in local news coverage.<ref>{{Cite news|work=Phoenix Business Journal|first=Anne|last=Robertson|title=Channel 3 receives an 'A' on TV news report card|date=November 10, 2000|page=9|id={{ProQuest|225060817}} }}</ref> Morford defended KNXV's news format as an alternative to the longer-established newscasts that already drew frequent news watchers and noted that his station sought to attract "low-use TV news viewers".<ref>{{Cite news|first=Dan|last=Trigoboff|pages=104–106|work=Broadcasting & Cable|title=Closer look at TV news|id={{ProQuest|225326795}} }}</ref>
On April 1, 2009, Scripps joined with Fox Television Stations, owner of KSAZ-TV, to form Local News Service, a model for pooling newsgathering efforts for local news events in which each station provided employees to the pool service in exchange for the sharing of video.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 1, 2009 |title=Fox, Scripps create Local News Service |work=Broadcasting & Cable |url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/191108-Fox_Scripps_Create_Local_News_Service.php |url-status=live |access-date=May 28, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928075456/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/191108-Fox_Scripps_Create_Local_News_Service.php |archive-date=September 28, 2012}}</ref> KPHO-TV eventually joined the Phoenix LNS agreement shortly after the announcement.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 8, 2009 |title=Chicago stations join to share video crews for ENG |work=BroadcastEngineering |url=http://broadcastengineering.com/news/chicago-stations-join-0508/ |url-status=dead |access-date=May 28, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090516184503/http://broadcastengineering.com/news/chicago-stations-join-0508/ |archive-date=May 16, 2009}}</ref> By 2020, all four English-language television newsrooms in Phoenix shared a helicopter.<ref name="royale">{{Cite news |last=Malone |first=Michael |date=February 15, 2021 |title=Local news battle royale in Phoenix |language=en |work=Broadcasting & Cable |url=https://www.nexttv.com/features/local-news-battle-royale-in-phoenix |url-status=live |access-date=March 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303190327/https://www.nexttv.com/features/local-news-battle-royale-in-phoenix |archive-date=March 3, 2021}}</ref>
In the 2010s, KNXV steadily expanded its news product to additional time slots. In 2012, KNXV relaunched an 11 a.m. newscast, and it added weekend morning news in 2013<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 9, 2013 |title=ABC15 launches weekend morning newscasts |url=http://www.abc15.com/dpp/about_us/news_releases/abc15-to-launch-weekend-morning-newscasts-starting-january-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130113043144/http://www.abc15.com/dpp/about_us/news_releases/abc15-to-launch-weekend-morning-newscasts-starting-january-19 |archive-date=January 13, 2013 |website=KNXV-TV}}</ref> and a 6:30 weeknight half-hour in 2014,<ref>{{Cite web |title=ABC15 to expand 6pm news to entire hour |website=KNXV-TV |date=July 3, 2014 |type=News release |url=http://www.abc15.com/about-us/news-releases/monday-abc15-to-expand-6pm-news-to-entire-hour |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821233649/http://www.abc15.com/about-us/news-releases/monday-abc15-to-expand-6pm-news-to-entire-hour |archive-date=August 21, 2014 |access-date=September 1, 2014}}</ref> among other new newscasts. After acquiring KASW, Scripps launched extended morning, midday, and 9 p.m. newscasts on that station over the course of 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Malone |first=Michael |date=February 15, 2021 |title=Scripps revamps Phoenix CW station |url=https://www.nexttv.com/features/scripps-revamps-phoenix-cw-station |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126045352/https://www.nexttv.com/features/scripps-revamps-phoenix-cw-station |archive-date=November 26, 2021 |access-date=December 26, 2021 |website=Broadcasting & Cable |language=en}}</ref>
In the mid-2010s, KNXV also became a leader at digital news within the Scripps group, particularly under the leadership of Chris Kline, who was promoted to news director from digital director. It was the first station in the company to launch a channel on Roku, later expanded throughout the group,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Marszalek |first=Diana |date=May 16, 2016 |title=Scripps rolling out Roku Channels across group |language=en |work=Broadcasting & Cable |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/scripps-rolling-out-roku-channels-across-group-156523 |url-status=live |access-date=December 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226034515/https://www.nexttv.com/news/scripps-rolling-out-roku-channels-across-group-156523 |archive-date=December 26, 2021}}</ref> and the use of a "digital-first" newsroom methodology helped lead to ratings increases for channel 15's newscasts.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Marszalek |first=Diana |date=August 15, 2016 |title=Scripps' Phoenix station thinks digital in overhaul of newsroom operations |language=en |work=Broadcasting & Cable |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/scripps-phoenix-station-thinks-digital-overhaul-newsroom-operations-158819 |url-status=live |access-date=December 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226034543/https://www.nexttv.com/news/scripps-phoenix-station-thinks-digital-overhaul-newsroom-operations-158819 |archive-date=December 26, 2021}}</ref>
[[File:Joe Hengemuehler, Vivek Narayan, Lisa Fletcher, Susan D'Astoli and Jonathan Elias, June 2008 (1). jpg.jpg|right|thumb|240px|alt=Refer to caption|KNXV-TV reporters, including Lisa Fletcher ''(third from left)'', receive a 2007 George Foster Peabody Award for "Security Risks at Sky Harbor" ]]
KNXV-TV has won five George Foster Peabody Awards. The first, in 2007, was for "Security Risks at Sky Harbor", which exposed lapses in security at the airport overnight.<ref name="security">{{Cite news |title=Security Risks at Sky Harbor |url=https://peabodyawards.com/award-profile/security-risks-at-sky-harbor/ |access-date=December 26, 2021 |website=The Peabody Awards |language=en-US |archive-date=December 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226041239/https://peabodyawards.com/award-profile/security-risks-at-sky-harbor/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The station won a second in 2012 for "Ford Escape: Exposing a Deadly Defect", which led to a recall of SUVs.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 27, 2013 |title=KNXV, KMGH, WVIT, WTHR nab Peabodys |work=TVNewsCheck |url=https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/knxv-kmgh-wvit-wthr-nab-peabodys/ |access-date=December 25, 2021 |archive-date=December 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226042605/https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/knxv-kmgh-wvit-wthr-nab-peabodys/ |url-status=live }}</ref> KNXV won three more Peabody Awards in the early 2020s for a series of investigations about the Phoenix Police Department. In 2020, Chief Investigative Reporter Dave Biscobing was awarded for "Full Disclosure", on the state of ''Brady'' lists in the state,<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 21, 2021 |title=ABC15 wins prestigious Peabody Award for 'Full Disclosure' series |language=en |work=KNXV-TV |url=https://www.abc15.com/about-us/news-releases/abc15-wins-prestigious-peabody-award-for-full-disclosure-series |access-date=December 26, 2021 |archive-date=December 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226041238/https://www.abc15.com/about-us/news-releases/abc15-wins-prestigious-peabody-award-for-full-disclosure-series |url-status=live }}</ref> which also received an Alfred I. duPont–Columbia University Award<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 8, 2022 |title=2022 duPont-Columbia Award winners |url=https://dupont.org/2022winners |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209022124/https://dupont.org/2022winners |archive-date=February 9, 2022 |access-date=February 8, 2022 |website=dupont.org}}</ref> and The Hillman Prize.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 20, 2020 |title=Abuse of Force |url=https://www.hillmanfoundation.org/hillman-prizes/2020-hillman-prize-broadcast-journalism |access-date=December 26, 2021 |website=Hillman Foundation |language=en |archive-date=December 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226041303/https://www.hillmanfoundation.org/hillman-prizes/2020-hillman-prize-broadcast-journalism |url-status=live }}</ref> Another Biscobing report, "Politically Charged", won another Peabody in 2021<ref>{{Cite web |title=Politically Charged |url=https://peabodyawards.com/award-profile/politically-charged/ |access-date=2025-09-26 |website=The Peabody Awards |language=en-US}}</ref> along with a George Polk Award.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.liu.edu/polk-awards/Current-Winners|title=Long Island University announces winners of 2021 George Polk Awards in Journalism|date=February 21, 2022|access-date=February 21, 2022|publisher=Long Island University|archive-date=February 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221155219/https://liu.edu/polk-awards/current-winners|url-status=live}}</ref> KNXV's investigative team, again led by Biscobing, won a Peabody Award for a 32-part series called "Policing Phoenix".<ref>{{Cite web |last=White |first=Keshia |date=2025-04-30 |title=85th Peabody Winners Announced |url=https://peabodyawards.com/stories/85th-peabody-winners-announced/ |access-date=2025-09-26 |website=The Peabody Awards |language=en-US}}</ref>
===Non-news programming=== KNXV-TV also airs one non-news local program: ''Sonoran Living'', a long-running late morning lifestyle program which debuted in 2000.<ref name="Ariz000909">{{Cite news |last=Clancy |first=Michael |date=September 9, 2000 |title=Local show to join morning TV fray |page=E1 |work=The Arizona Republic |location=Phoenix, Arizona |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91204575/local-show-to-join-morning-tv-fray/ |access-date=December 27, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222163623/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91204575/local-show-to-join-morning-tv-fray/ |url-status=live }}</ref><!-- Sat --> It is broadcast each weekday at 9 a.m. and hosted by Susan Casper and Terri Ouellette.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 9, 2012 |title=Valley newscaster 'Terri O' to co-host ABC15's Sonoran Living starting Monday |work=East Valley Tribune |publisher=10/13 Communications |url=http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/local/the_valley/article_5a5fe896-e274-11e1-9bcd-001a4bcf887a.html |url-status=live |access-date=December 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811104754/http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/local/the_valley/article_5a5fe896-e274-11e1-9bcd-001a4bcf887a.html |archive-date=August 11, 2012}}</ref>
===Notable on-air staff=== * Lisa Fletcher – anchor (2002–2007){{r|security}} * Craig Fouhy – sports director<ref name="Ariz980926">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109102423/channel-15-bucks-tradition-curbs-sports/|date=September 26, 1998|page=D10|first=Michael|last=Clancy|title=Channel 15 bucks tradition, curbs sports coverage|newspaper=The Arizona Republic|location=Phoenix, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 7, 2022|archive-date=May 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505021550/https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-republic-channel-15-bucks-tradit/109102423/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> * Lori Jane Gliha<ref name="Ariz090307">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-republic-read-across-america-wee/132974924/|date=March 7, 2009|page=Scottsdale Republic 11|title=Read Across America week attracts celebs to school|newspaper=The Arizona Republic|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 6, 2023|archive-date=November 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119231410/https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-republic-read-across-america-wee/132974924/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> * Tony Kovaleski – reporter (1994–1997){{r|newtimes}} * Anne Ryman – reporter (2023–present)<ref>{{Cite news|work=TVNewsCheck|title=Scripps Selects Six Veteran Print Journalists For Journalism Journey Initiative's Inaugural Class|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/journalism/article/scripps-selects-six-veteran-print-journalists-for-journalism-journey-initiatives-inaugural-class/|date=January 10, 2023}}</ref> * Kinsey Schofield – anchor and reporter (2016–2017)<ref>{{Cite news |last=Caraccio |first=David |date=June 29, 2017 |title=Arizona television personality to join Good Day Sacramento in July |work=Sacramento Bee |url=https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article158833689.html |access-date=December 27, 2021 |archive-date=July 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704040536/https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article158833689.html |url-status=live }}</ref> * Bob Woodruff – reporter{{r|newtimes}}
==Technical information and subchannels== KNXV-TV broadcasts from South Mountain.{{r|FCC-LMS-59440}} Its signal is multiplexed: {| class="wikitable" |+ Subchannels of KNXV-TV<ref name="re">{{Cite web |title=Digital TV market listing for KNXV |url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KNXV#station |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121042235/http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KNXV#station |archive-date=November 21, 2016 |access-date=December 26, 2021 |website=RabbitEars}}</ref> |- ! scope = "col" | Channel ! scope = "col" | Res. ! scope = "col" | Short name ! scope = "col" | Programming |- ! scope = "row" | 15.1 | rowspan=2|720p || ABC15 || ABC |- ! scope = "row" | 15.2 | Ant TV || Antenna TV/Scripps Sports |- ! scope = "row" | 15.3 | rowspan=2| 480i || LAFF TV || Laff |- ! scope = "row" | 15.5 | QVC2 || QVC2 |- style="background-color:#DFEBF6; border-top: 2px solid #003399;" ! scope = "row" | 61.1 | 1080i || AZ 61 || KASW (Independent) |} {{legend|#DFEBF6|Broadcast on behalf of another station}}
KNXV's first subchannel offering was a traffic subchannel, launched in 2008.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Romano |first=Allison |date=January 19, 2009 |title=Cutting bait on subchannels |language=en |work=Broadcasting & Cable |url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/news-articles/cutting-bait-subchannels/109752 |url-status=live |access-date=March 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309054146/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/news-articles/cutting-bait-subchannels/109752 |archive-date=March 9, 2018}}</ref> In 2011, subchannel 15.2 began carrying the Live Well Network;<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=May 26, 2011 |title=Scripps stations on board with ABC's Live Well Network |url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/468841-Scripps_Stations_On_Board_With_ABC_S_Live_Well_Network.php |url-status=live |magazine=Broadcasting & Cable |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007014030/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/468841-Scripps_Stations_On_Board_With_ABC_S_Live_Well_Network.php |archive-date=October 7, 2012 |access-date=November 14, 2012}}</ref> LWN was replaced with classic television network Antenna TV on January 1, 2014.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 20, 2013 |title=ABC15 to launch Antenna TV Arizona January 1 |publisher=KNXV-TV |url=http://www.abc15.com/dpp/about_us/news_releases/abc15-to-launch-antenna-tv-arizona-january-1 |url-status=dead |access-date=January 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140121080029/http://www.abc15.com/dpp/about_us/news_releases/abc15-to-launch-antenna-tv-arizona-january-1 |archive-date=January 21, 2014}}</ref> The Antenna TV subchannel, beginning with the 2024–25 NHL season, airs select Utah Mammoth and Vegas Golden Knights games during conflicts with sister station KASW.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 26, 2024 |title=VGK, Scripps Sports Announce Broadcasts in Phoenix, Tucson |publisher=Vegas Golden Knights |url=https://www.nhl.com/goldenknights/news/vgk-scripps-sports-announce-broadcasts-in-phoenix-tucson|access-date=October 3, 2024}}</ref>
The main 61.1 subchannel of KASW is also broadcast on the KNXV-TV multiplex; KASW, Phoenix's high-power ATSC 3.0 (NextGen TV) station, carries KNXV-TV in that format.{{r|re}}
===Translators=== KNXV-TV is broadcast on these translators in northern and northwestern Arizona:<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 23, 2021|title=List of TV translator input channels|url=https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/tv-translator-input-channels-07232021.xlsx|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209195336/https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/tv-translator-input-channels-07232021.xlsx|archive-date=December 9, 2021|access-date=December 17, 2021|publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=40em}} * Big Sandy Valley: K27DA-D * Bullhead City: K04GT-D * Camp Verde: K23FZ-D * Cottonwood: K33NZ-D, K34EE-D * Dolan Springs: K31PA-D * Flagstaff: K24KS-D * Golden Valley: K27NT-D * Kingman: K30LL-D * Lake Havasu City: K24NG-D * Meadview: K21NQ-D * Moccasin: K35EE-D * Prescott: K19KV-D * Needles, etc., CA: K31HY-D {{div col end}}
KNXV did not have any translator coverage until 1989, when it signed on a translator in Flagstaff.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rabe |first=Don |date=October 11, 1989 |title=Flagstaff embarks on new trek for TV |page=1 |work=Arizona Daily Sun |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/65730765/ |access-date=December 21, 2020}}</ref> When it became an ABC affiliate in 1995, it replaced KTVK on some transmitters in Mohave County's translator network, the largest in the state.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Click |first=Paul |date=February 8, 1995 |title=Needles TV Club begins raising funds |page=5 |work=Needles Desert Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/65730783/ |access-date=December 21, 2020}}</ref> The second transmitter in Cottonwood rebroadcast KASW prior to its ATSC 3.0 conversion.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076ff380b290a30180b488e96b04cd&id=25076ff380b290a30180b488e96b04cd&goBack=N|title=Renewal of license (KNXV-TV) (LMS #192762)|date=June 1, 2022|publisher=FCC Licensing and Management System|access-date=July 13, 2022|archive-date=July 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715232131/https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076ff380b290a30180b488e96b04cd&id=25076ff380b290a30180b488e96b04cd&goBack=N|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== * {{Official website|https://www.abc15.com/}}
{{PHX TV}} {{ABC Arizona}} {{Scripps Sports}} {{EWS CORP}}
Category:1979 establishments in Arizona Category:American Broadcasting Company affiliates Category:Antenna TV affiliates Category:Court TV affiliates Category:E. W. Scripps Company television stations Category:Laff (TV network) affiliates Category:ON TV (TV network) Category:Television channels and stations established in 1979 NXV-TV