KASA-TV

KASA-TV is the Fox network affiliate for most of New Mexico. It is licensed to the state capital, Santa Fe and broadcasts on digital channel 27 but is displayed as channel 2, its former analog channel number. It is owned by Media General and is a sister station to CBS affiliate KRQE. The two stations share a studio on Broadcast Plaza in Albuquerque. Syndicated programming on KASA includes The 700 Club, Family Feud, The People's Court, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and Dish Nation. Additionally, KASA may air programming as an alternate CBS affiliate when KRQE is airing non-CBS programming.

In addition to the main KASA signal, there are 41 low-powered repeaters that carry its programming throughout New Mexico and parts of Colorado.

Station history

Intellectual unit

The KASA intellectual unit began as KGSW on May 8, 1981 on channel 14. It was the state's second English-language general entertainment station. The callsign was derived from the station's original owners, Galaxy Communications and Southwest Television. Initially, the station carried drama shows, movies from the 1940s through the 1970s, sitcoms, and religious shows. In the fall of 1983, KGSW added more sitcoms and began running cartoons in the 7-9 a.m. and the 3-5 p.m. weekday slots. KGSW was managed by Erik Steffens. Its first programming director was legendary network sports producer Don McGuire, a native of Albuquerque. McGuire attained rights to UNM Lobo football and hired Connie Alexander and Gary Ness as announcers. In 1984, the Providence Journal Company bought KGSW from the original owners. The station affiliated with the Fox network when the network launched on April 5, 1987. The station continued a general entertainment format with a lot of cartoons, sitcoms and movies well into the 1990s.