KIII

KIII is a ABC-affiliated television station in Corpus Christi, Texas, United States. The station is owned by Tegna, Inc. KIII maintains studios located on South Padre Island Drive (SH 358) in Corpus Christi and its transmitter is located near Robstown, Texas.

History

The struggle to put channel 3 on the air in Corpus Christi started after KVDO-TV (channel 22, headed by Nestor Cuesta and Gabe Lozano and a handful of other local businessmen) went on air in 1954. They had limited success, and increasing trouble after two VHF stations – KRIS-TV (channel 6) and KZTV (channel 10) – went on the air in 1956.

KVDO petitioned the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to add a channel 3 allocation at Corpus Christi. Other cities also wanted it; however, following a lot of struggle, channel 3 was ultimately allocated to Corpus Christi. KVDO-TV then sold its license assets to McKinnon Broadcasting in exchange for an interest in the new KIII-TV, while the former KVDO facilities were sold to KRIS-TV. McKinnon then put KIII on the air May 3, 1964; it has always been an ABC affiliate.