KTAB-TV

KTAB-TV is the CBS affiliate television station serving Abilene, Texas. It is owned by Nexstar Broadcasting Group and broadcasts on digital channel 24. KTAB is licensed to Abilene and broadcasts on a High Definition digital signal on UHF Channel 24. Syndicated programming on KTAB includes: Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy!, The World's Funniest Moments, and The 700 Club.

History

KTAB began broadcasting on October 6, 1979 and transmits from a transmitter/tower facility located on a hilltop southeast of the city along Texas Highway 36 in neighboring Callahan County (about 15 miles from the studio). The tower structure is approximately 700 feet tall with an average height of about 950 feet above the city of Abilene. This made Abilene one of the last markets in the country to get full service from the Big Three networks.

Upon signing-on, it took over the CBS affiliation from KTXS-TV, which became a full ABC affiliate. The station was founded by William "Bill" Terry (55% owner) and a large contingent of partners, investors, and department heads. Terry had worked for many years at established station KRBC-TV and was well known in the Abilene area. Terry sold the station to International Broadcasting, owned by stockholder Thomas Scallen in 1984.