KHBS

KHBS is the ABC-affiliated television station for Fort Smith, Arkansas. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 21 (virtual channel 40.1 via PSIP) from a transmitter located on the Cavanal Hill northwest of Poteau, Oklahoma. Owned by Hearst Television, the station's brand name "40/29" refers to KHBS and its Fayetteville-based satellite station KHOG-TV, which covers other areas of Northwest Arkansas and far into southwestern Missouri that aren't covered by the primary KHBS signal. KHOG also broadcasts on UHF digital channel 15 (virtual channel 29.1 via PSIP) from a transmitter located southeast of Fayetteville. The two stations share a studio on Ajax Avenue in Rogers and also operate a news bureau on North Albert Pike in Fort Smith.

History

Channel 40 began as KFPW-TV on July 28, 1971. It was owned by local businessman Bob Hernreich along with KFPW radio (1230 AM). The station was a primary CBS affiliate with a secondary ABC affiliation. Before channel 40's arrival, all three networks had been shoehorned on primary NBC affiliate KFSA-TV (channel 5, now CBS affiliate KFSM-TV).