View source for KNAZ-TV

{{short description|NBC affiliate in Flagstaff, Arizona}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox television station
| callsign = KNAZ-TV
| above = [[broadcast relay station#Satellite stations|Satellite]] of [[KPNX]], [[Mesa, Arizona|Mesa]]–[[Phoenix, Arizona]]
| logo = KPNX 12 logo.svg
| logo_alt = The logo of parent station KPNX. At left, a sans serif 12 partially encased in an outline of the state of Arizona. At right, the NBC peacock and the letters KPNX in a sans serif.
| branding = 12News
| digital = 22 ([[UHF]])
| virtual = 2
| subchannels =
| translators =
| affiliations = [[NBC]]
| founded =
| airdate = {{start date and age|1970|5|2|p=y}}
| location = [[Flagstaff, Arizona]]
| country = United States
| callsign_meaning = Northern Arizona
| former_callsigns = KOAI (1970–1981)
| former_channel_numbers = '''Analog:''' 2 ([[VHF]], 1970–2009)
| owner = [[Tegna Inc.]]
| licensee = [[Multimedia, Inc.|Multimedia]] Holdings Corporation
| sister_stations = KPNX
| erp = 283 [[kW]]
| haat = {{convert|465|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| facility_id = 24749
| coordinates = {{coord|34|58|6|N|111|30|31|W|type:landmark}}
| licensing_authority = [[FCC]]
| website = {{url|www.12news.com/}}
}}
'''KNAZ-TV''' (channel 2) is a [[television station]] licensed to [[Flagstaff, Arizona]], United States, affiliated with [[NBC]]. Owned by [[Tegna Inc.]], the station maintains a [[news bureau]] on the campus of [[Northern Arizona University]] in Flagstaff, and its transmitter is located southeast of the city in rural [[Coconino County]].
KNAZ-TV operates as a full-time [[broadcast relay station#Satellite stations|satellite]] of [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]]-based [[KPNX]] (channel 12, licensed to [[Mesa, Arizona|Mesa]]), whose studios are located at the Republic Media building on [[Van Buren Street (Arizona)|Van Buren Street]] in [[downtown Phoenix]]. KNAZ covers areas of [[northern Arizona]] that receive a marginal to non-existent [[terrestrial television|over-the-air]] signal from KPNX. KNAZ is a straight [[simulcast]] of KPNX; on-air references to KNAZ are limited to [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC)-mandated hourly [[station identification]]s during newscasts and other programming.
KNAZ is the only full-power television station in northern Arizona broadcasting one of the major English-language television networks. It was established as a full originating station in 1970 and continued to produce local newscasts until 2008. After a succession of owners, it came into common ownership with KPNX in 1997.
==History==
===KOAI===
As early as July 1967, plans were beginning to crystallize for the construction of a new television station in Flagstaff, the area's first high-power station; the area was only served by two UHF translators of [[KTVK]] and [[KOOL-TV]] from Phoenix. The primary promoter of the proposed station was Wendell Elliott Sr., who had managed radio station [[KGNO]] in [[Dodge City, Kansas]], and had founded associated television station [[KBSD-DT|KTVC]] in nearby [[Ensign, Kansas|Ensign]] in the 1950s; he also was a founder of the [[Kansas Association of Broadcasters]] in 1951.<ref name="KAB History">{{cite web |first1=S.|last1=Elliott|first2=M.|last2=Beaver |url=http://www.kab.net/KABAdditionalInformation/AdditionalDownloads/Downloads_GetFile.aspx?id=4095 |title=History of the Kansas Association of Broadcasters |access-date=March 19, 2007 |format=PDF |archive-date=March 15, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070315163555/http://www.kab.net/KABAdditionalInformation/AdditionalDownloads/Downloads_GetFile.aspx?id=4095 |url-status=live }}</ref> Other stockholders included former Flagstaff mayor Charles L. Saunders, who owned radio station [[KCLS (Arizona)|KCLS]] and had once sought to build a Flagstaff TV station himself. Elliott originally sought to build a {{convert|200|ft|m}} tower atop [[Mount Elden]] and downtown studios, raising $85,000 by selling stock in the venture.<ref name="Ariz670720">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103232730/tv-promoters-to-hold-meet/|date=July 20, 1967|page=2|title=TV Promoters To Hold Meet|newspaper=Arizona Daily Sun|location=Flagstaff, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 7, 2022|archive-date=June 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607043611/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103232730/tv-promoters-to-hold-meet/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu -->
Flagstaff had originally been assigned channels 9 and 13 for television use. However, when the Elliott group—incorporated in 1968 as Grand Canyon Television Company—was forced by the [[United States Forest Service]] to switch proposed transmitter sites from Mount Elden to Mormon Mountain, southeast of Flagstaff, it asked the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) to change out channel 9 for channel 2 in order to avoid potential spacing problems to [[Tucson]]'s channel 9 station, [[KGUN-TV]].<ref name="Ariz680920">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103232896/flag-station-tv-firm-protest-planned/|date=September 20, 1968|page=1|title=Flag Station: TV Firm Protest Planned|newspaper=Arizona Daily Sun|location=Flagstaff, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 7, 2022|archive-date=June 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607043557/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103232896/flag-station-tv-firm-protest-planned/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> From the start, Grand Canyon planned to obtain NBC affiliation for its station.<ref name="Ariz681008">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103232987/tv-company-takes-steps-for-permit/|date=October 8, 1968|page=2|title=TV Company Takes Steps For Permit|newspaper=Arizona Daily Sun|location=Flagstaff, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 7, 2022|archive-date=June 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607043606/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103232987/tv-company-takes-steps-for-permit/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue -->
Grand Canyon officially filed an application for construction permit on March 26, 1969, the FCC having approved the change to channel 2 earlier in the month,<ref name="Ariz690327">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103233007/fcc-reveals-substitute-for-flag-tv/|date=March 27, 1969|page=1|title=FCC Reveals Substitute For Flag TV Channel 9|newspaper=Arizona Daily Sun|location=Flagstaff, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 7, 2022|archive-date=June 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607043608/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103233007/fcc-reveals-substitute-for-flag-tv/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> and the commission granted the application on September 10.<ref name="hc">{{FCC letter|hcards=yes|callsign=KNAZ-TV|letterid=85149}}</ref> With the permit approved, construction commenced nearly immediately;<ref name="Ariz690911">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103233098/fcc-approves-application-for-tv-station/|date=September 11, 1969|page=6|title=FCC Approves Application For TV Station in Flagstaff|newspaper=Arizona Daily Sun|location=Flagstaff, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 7, 2022|archive-date=June 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607043628/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103233098/fcc-approves-application-for-tv-station/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> in January 1970, power lines were buried under Mormon Mountain to provide electrical service to the summit.<ref name="Ariz700117">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103233140/a-mountainous-task/|date=January 17, 1970|page=2|title=A Mountainous Task|newspaper=Arizona Daily Sun|location=Flagstaff, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 7, 2022|archive-date=June 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607043541/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103233140/a-mountainous-task/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> The transmitter facility was complete by early April, when the first test patterns went out,<ref name="Ariz700406">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103233253/new-flagstaff-tv-station-emits-signal/|date=April 6, 1970|page=1|title=New Flagstaff TV Station Emits Signal|newspaper=Arizona Daily Sun|location=Flagstaff, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 7, 2022|archive-date=June 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607043536/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103233253/new-flagstaff-tv-station-emits-signal/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> and KOAI began broadcasting on May 2, 1970.<ref name="Ariz710423">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103303739/koai-granted-license/|date=April 23, 1971|page=18|title=KOAI Granted License|newspaper=Arizona Daily Sun|location=Flagstaff, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 7, 2022|archive-date=June 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607043532/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103303739/koai-granted-license/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> It was some time before the station began producing local programming, as the studios at 528 W. Aspen were not yet completed.<ref name="Ariz700504">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103233286/citys-first-television-station-begins/|date=May 4, 1970|page=12|title=City's First Television Station Begins Broadcasts|newspaper=Arizona Daily Sun|location=Flagstaff, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 7, 2022|archive-date=June 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607043531/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103233286/citys-first-television-station-begins/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon -->
KOAI was among the first stations seen on much of the [[Navajo Nation]] when a tribe-owned translator was completed atop Navajo Mountain in 1973. At the time, the station produced and aired a daily [[Navajo language|Navajo-language]] news program hosted by Chester Yazzie; the program was aired the next day on [[KOBF|KIVA-TV]] in [[Farmington, New Mexico]],<ref name="Ariz730925">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103310484/relay-brings-tv-to-navajos/|date=September 25, 1973|page=15|title=Relay brings TV to Navajos|newspaper=Arizona Republic|location=Phoenix, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 7, 2022|archive-date=June 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607050657/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103310484/relay-brings-tv-to-navajos/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> and later also on [[KOAT-TV]] in [[Albuquerque]]. It was the only Navajo-language television program in the world at the time.<ref name="Ariz741004">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103310660/to-tell-the-truth-its-a-drag/|date=October 4, 1974|page=B2|first=Dave|last=Wimbish|title=To tell the truth: It's a drag|newspaper=Arizona Daily Sun|location=Flagstaff, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 7, 2022|archive-date=June 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607050658/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103310660/to-tell-the-truth-its-a-drag/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->
Wendell Elliott Sr. died in 1974 of an apparent heart attack.<ref name="Ariz740621">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103234214/veteran-broadcast-journalist-wendell/|date=June 21, 1974|page=1|title=Veteran Broadcast Journalist Wendell Elliott Sr. Dies at 61|newspaper=Arizona Daily Sun|location=Flagstaff, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 7, 2022|archive-date=June 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607043623/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103234214/veteran-broadcast-journalist-wendell/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> His son, Wendell Elliott Jr., took over the operation of the business, which was claimed to be the fourth-smallest TV station in the United States.<ref name="Ariz780507">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103234301/local-video-station-marks-eight-years/|date=May 7, 1978|page=33|title=Local video station marks eight years on the air|newspaper=Arizona Daily Sun|location=Flagstaff, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 7, 2022|archive-date=June 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607043537/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103234301/local-video-station-marks-eight-years/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun -->
===KNAZ-TV===
In 1980, the Grand Canyon Television Company approved the sale of KOAI to Capitol Broadcasting Company of [[Jackson, Mississippi]],{{efn|Not related to the [[Capitol Broadcasting Company]] of Raleigh, North Carolina.}} which owned radio and television stations in the Mississippi city and [[KKTV]] in [[Colorado Springs, Colorado]].<ref name="Ariz800629">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103233352/koai-stockholders-okay-sale-of/|date=June 29, 1980|page=10|title=KOAI Stockholders Okay Sale of Television Station|newspaper=Arizona Daily Sun|location=Flagstaff, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 7, 2022|archive-date=June 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607043612/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103233352/koai-stockholders-okay-sale-of/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> Capitol closed on the sale in February 1981 and immediately sought to improve all aspects of the operation. On March 23, 1981,{{r|hc}} the call sign was changed to KNAZ-TV to represent the station's service area.<ref name="Ariz810226">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48591403/koai-completes-sale-of-station/|date=February 26, 1981|page=11|title=KOAI Completes Sale of Station|newspaper=Arizona Daily Sun|location=Flagstaff, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 7, 2022|archive-date=June 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607043614/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48591403/koai-completes-sale-of-station/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> (Kevin McCabe, a longtime Phoenix sports journalist who worked for channel 2 at the time, noted that people had "laughed" at KOAI for the preceding decade and that the station had set a "bad precedent".<ref name="Ariz820126">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103236158/sports-show-fills-gap-on-flagstaff-tv/|date=January 26, 1982|page=C8|first=Bud|last=Wilkinson|title=Sports show fills gap on Flagstaff TV station|newspaper=Arizona Republic|location=Phoenix, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 7, 2022|archive-date=June 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607043545/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103236158/sports-show-fills-gap-on-flagstaff-tv/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue -->) A new maximum-power transmitter at 100,000 watts was installed; the news department was expanded; and Capitol also moved the station into a new building on Vickey Street in 1982.<ref name="Ariz810709">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103235898/new-owner-upgrades-flagstaff-tv-station/|date=July 9, 1981|page=F5|first=Bud|last=Wilkinson|title=New owner upgrades Flagstaff TV station|newspaper=Arizona Republic|location=Phoenix, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 7, 2022|archive-date=June 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607043547/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103235898/new-owner-upgrades-flagstaff-tv-station/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --><ref name="Ariz820813">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103234486/knaz-tv-open-house-is-planned-sunday/|date=August 13, 1982|page=9|title=KNAZ-TV Open House Is Planned Sunday|newspaper=Arizona Daily Sun|location=Flagstaff, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 7, 2022|archive-date=June 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607043537/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103234486/knaz-tv-open-house-is-planned-sunday/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->  With the upgraded building came much-needed technical updates, notably a conversion to electronic news gathering on videotape from film.<ref name="Ariz810809">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103235957/local-television-station-planning-to/|date=August 9, 1981|page=24|first=Bonnie|last=Walker|title=Local Television Station Planning To Move into New, Large Facility|newspaper=Arizona Daily Sun|location=Flagstaff, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 7, 2022|archive-date=June 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607043542/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103235957/local-television-station-planning-to/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun -->
While Capitol Broadcasting, owned by the Hederman family as well as Standard Life Insurance, put all of its properties up for sale in late 1982,<ref name="Clar821007">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103235633/channel-12-wsli-wxly-up-for-sale/|date=October 7, 1982|page=1A|first=Maria|last=Halkias|title=Channel 12, WSLI, WXLY up for sale|newspaper=Clarion-Ledger|location=Jackson, Mississippi|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 7, 2022|archive-date=June 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607043536/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103235633/channel-12-wsli-wxly-up-for-sale/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> they continued to own the station for nearly six more years. During that time, Grand Canyon Television built [[KMOH-TV]], a satellite station of KNAZ at [[Kingman, Arizona|Kingman]] that began broadcasting on February 29, 1988. It was not until July of that year that KNAZ-TV found a buyer, Peter J. Klein of Indiana;<ref name="Ariz880729">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103233498/two-more-tv-stations-on-the-way/|date=July 29, 1988|page=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103233474/ 2]|first=Steve|last=Ryan|title=Two more TV stations on the way: KNAZ-TV being sold|newspaper=Arizona Daily Sun|location=Flagstaff, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 7, 2022|archive-date=June 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607043658/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103233498/two-more-tv-stations-on-the-way/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> Klein beat out [[Sunbelt Communications Company]] of [[Las Vegas]] for the station.<ref name="Ariz890531">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103236934/group-buys-rights-to-new-tv-station/|date=May 31, 1989|page=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103236884/ 3]|title=Group buys rights to new TV station|newspaper=Arizona Daily Sun|location=Flagstaff, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 7, 2022|archive-date=June 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607043543/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103236934/group-buys-rights-to-new-tv-station/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed -->
Klein's ownership of the television station would end with his ouster in 1991 after four investors who owned 72.5 percent of the business petitioned a court to place Grand Canyon Television into receivership.<ref name="Ariz910620">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103233615/investors-seek-removal-of-knaz-president/|date=June 20, 1991|page=2|first=Emily|last=Darby|title=Investors seek removal of KNAZ president|newspaper=Arizona Daily Sun|location=Flagstaff, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 7, 2022|archive-date=June 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607043659/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103233615/investors-seek-removal-of-knaz-president/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> There had been signs of possible financial trouble earlier in the year when KNAZ-TV was listed as delinquent on its county property taxes; radio station [[KAFF (AM)|KAFF]] reported the station was behind on payroll, charges that its financial manager denied.<ref name="Ariz910212">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103233554/knaz-officials-deny-financial-problems/|date=February 12, 1991|page=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103233568/knaz/ 14]|first=Maureen|last=O'Connell|title=KNAZ officials deny financial problems|newspaper=Arizona Daily Sun|location=Flagstaff, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 7, 2022|archive-date=June 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607043544/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103233554/knaz-officials-deny-financial-problems/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> The investors also claimed that Klein, an [[Indianapolis]] resident, was an absentee owner and that the firm had lost $3.8&nbsp;million.{{r|Ariz910620}} The stations emerged from receivership after a year, with [[Bill Franke|W. A. Franke]], one of the investors who filed the original motion, as the leader of the business.<ref name="Ariz920703">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103233705/knaz-hires-new-manager-part-of-parent/|date=July 3, 1992|page=4|title=KNAZ hires new manager: Part of parent company restructuring|newspaper=Arizona Daily Sun|location=Flagstaff, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 7, 2022|archive-date=June 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607043536/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103233705/knaz-hires-new-manager-part-of-parent/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> By this time, KNAZ-TV was airing daily 5, 6, and 10 p.m. newscasts that beat the Phoenix stations within the Flagstaff area.<ref name="Ariz950423">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103235316/knaz-ranked-no-1/|date=April 23, 1995|page=2|title=KNAZ ranked No. 1|newspaper=Arizona Daily Sun|location=Flagstaff, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 7, 2022|archive-date=June 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607043655/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103235316/knaz-ranked-no-1/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun -->
===Gannett/Tegna ownership===
[[Image:Knaz masthead728.jpg|thumb|left|Final ''2 News'' logo, used until the end of local newscasts on August 15, 2008|alt=A white 2 in a bold geometric sans serif to the right of the NBC peacock, all over a blue diamond shape, with the word "News" below]]
In January 1997, Grand Canyon announced that it had sold KNAZ-TV and KMOH, by that point disconnected from the Flagstaff station, to the [[Gannett]] Company, which owned KPNX in Phoenix.<ref name="Ariz970118">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103233742/knaz-tv-sold-to-us-media-giant/|date=January 18, 1997|page=1|title=KNAZ-TV sold to U.S. media giant|newspaper=Arizona Daily Sun|location=Flagstaff, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 7, 2022|first=Becky|last=Ramsdell|archive-date=June 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607043620/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103233742/knaz-tv-sold-to-us-media-giant/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> The purchase, which closed in May 1997,<ref name="Sale to Gannett">{{cite news |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/1997/05/26/daily1.html |title=Gannett acquires Arizona stations |work=The Business Journal of Phoenix |date=May 27, 1997 |access-date=March 23, 2007 |archive-date=March 19, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050319204131/http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/1997/05/26/daily1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> attracted attention and concern over the fate of KNAZ-TV; rumors swirled that Gannett would discontinue local newscasts for Northern Arizona and run the station as a full-time rebroadcaster of KPNX.<ref name="Ariz970220">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103233829/channel-2s-future-comes-under-scrutiny/|date=February 20, 1997|page=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103233845/ch-2/ 2]|first=Blake|last=Morlock|title=Channel 2's future comes under scrutiny|newspaper=Arizona Daily Sun|location=Flagstaff, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 7, 2022|archive-date=June 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607043756/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103233829/channel-2s-future-comes-under-scrutiny/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> It was noted that the KPNX purchase of KNAZ-TV had taken place after the Flagstaff cable system attempted to drop KPNX from its lineup but found itself unable to do so because Gannett threatened to discontinue carriage on co-owned systems in [[Sedona]], Kingman, [[Lake Havasu City]], and [[Bullhead City]].{{r|Ariz970220}}
In December 2005, Gannett announced its intention to sell KNAZ-TV.<ref name="Gannett to sell">{{cite news |last=Cordova|first=Randy |url=http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/arizonaliving/articles/1210media1210.html |title=Flagstaff station for sale |work=The Arizona Republic |date=December 10, 2005 |access-date=March 19, 2007 |archive-date=June 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607043543/https://help.azcentral.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> While Gannett waited for a buyer to surface, the station ceased producing weekend newscasts in 2006, airing newscasts from KPNX with Flagstaff-specific weather inserts.<ref name="Ariz060903">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103235406/innkeepers-question-rezoning-for-new/|date=September 3, 2006|page=D1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101147016/pulse/ D3]|first=Joe|last=Ferguson|title=Innkeepers question rezoning for new hotel|newspaper=Arizona Daily Sun|location=Flagstaff, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 7, 2022|archive-date=June 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607043551/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103235406/innkeepers-question-rezoning-for-new/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> KNAZ ceased production of local newscasts and became a full satellite of KPNX on August 15, 2008, citing inadequate advertising revenues and a lack of [[satellite television|satellite]] carriage as factors in the decision. A Flagstaff bureau was established to cover Northern Arizona news, and some of the station's staff were kept to staff it.<ref name="Ariz080808">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103235533/2-news-unplugs-the-local-television/|date=August 8, 2008|page=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103235554/knaz/ A7]|first=J.|last=Ferguson|title=2 News unplugs: The local television station, KNAZ, will end live newscasts Aug. 15|newspaper=Arizona Daily Sun|location=Flagstaff, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 7, 2022|archive-date=June 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607043624/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103235533/2-news-unplugs-the-local-television/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> Some of the void was filled when Northern Arizona University began producing a local newscast, ''NAZ Today'', for cable and streaming in 2008.<ref name="Ariz081010">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103235773/city-mulls-tv-subsidy/|date=October 10, 2008|page=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103235791/ A7]|first=J.|last=Ferguson|title=City mulls TV subsidy|newspaper=Arizona Daily Sun|location=Flagstaff, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 7, 2022|archive-date=June 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607050658/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103235773/city-mulls-tv-subsidy/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->
==Notable former on-air staff==
* [[Emme Aronson]] – reporter/morning anchor; known as Melissa Julian at KNAZ<ref name="Ariz870416">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103309949/charmasson-julian-take-positions-at-kna/|date=April 16, 1987|page=20|title=Charmasson, Julian take positions at KNAZ-TV|newspaper=Arizona Daily Sun|location=Flagstaff, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 7, 2022|archive-date=June 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607043740/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103309949/charmasson-julian-take-positions-at/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu -->
* [[Steve Bunin]] – sports director/anchor, 1997–2000<ref name="Ariz981227">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103309855/putting-locals-first/|date=December 27, 1998|page=9|first=Chris|last=Lang|title=Putting locals first|newspaper=Arizona Daily Sun|location=Flagstaff, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 7, 2022|archive-date=June 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607043819/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103309855/putting-locals-first/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun -->
* [[Dina Eastwood]] – anchor/reporter<ref name="Ariz911106">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103310013/tv-reporter-moving-to-new-job-ruiz-taki/|date=November 6, 1991|page=2|title=TV reporter moving to new job: Ruiz taking position in California market|newspaper=Arizona Daily Sun|location=Flagstaff, Arizona|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 7, 2022|archive-date=June 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607043804/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103310013/tv-reporter-moving-to-new-job-ruiz/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed -->
==Technical information==
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Subchannel of KNAZ-TV<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KNAZ|title=Digital TV Market Listing for KNAZ|work=Ericson, Trip|publisher=[[RabbitEars]].info|access-date=September 21, 2016|archive-date=May 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510080039/http://rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KNAZ|url-status=live}}</ref>
! scope = "col" | [[Digital subchannel#United States|Channel]]
! scope = "col" | [[Display resolution|Res.]]
! scope = "col" | [[Aspect ratio (image)|Aspect]]
! scope = "col" | Short name
! scope = "col" | Programming
|-
! scope="row" | 2.1
| [[1080i]] ||<!--rowspan = 5 |--> [[16:9]] || KNAZ-HD || [[NBC]]
<!--|-
! scope="row" | 2.2
| rowspan=4|[[480i]] || Weather || [[Shop LC]]
|-
! scope="row" | 2.3
| Crime || [[True Crime Network]]
|-
! scope="row" | 2.4
| Quest || [[Quest (American TV network)|Quest]]
|-
! scope="row" | 2.5
| Twist || [[Twist (TV network)|Twist]]-->
|}
In its DTV allotment plan of April 3, 1997, the FCC assigned channel 22 for KNAZ-DT, and on February 22, 2001, it granted to Gannett a construction permit to build the digital facilities.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Engineering_Technology/Orders/1997/fc97115a.pdf |title=DTV Table of Allotments |publisher=Federal Communications Commission |work=FCC Sixth Report and Order, Appendix B |date=April 3, 1997 |access-date=March 19, 2007 |format=PDF |archive-date=March 7, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070307035333/http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Engineering_Technology/Orders/1997/fc97115a.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_list.pl?Arn=19991020ACG |title=Minor Change to a Licensed Facility |publisher=Federal Communications Commission |access-date=March 23, 2007 |archive-date=June 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607043823/https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_list.pl?Arn=19991020ACG |url-status=live }}</ref> The digital facility did not begin full-power broadcasts until January 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_list.pl?Arn=20070119AAN|title=Application for License to Cover|date=January 19, 2007|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|access-date=June 7, 2022|archive-date=June 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607043821/https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_list.pl?Arn=20070119AAN|url-status=live}}</ref>
KNAZ had originally intended to move its digital broadcasts to VHF channel 2 after the digital transition. This plan was abandoned as the existing channel 2 antenna had sustained damage in three successive [[ice storm]]s; an April 2008 inspection found arcing and repeated automatic shutdown due to signal power being reflected back into the transmitter that left it incapable of full-power operation, as well as an {{Convert|8|in|cm|adj=on|sp=us|spell=in}} crack in the antenna mast that would have required welding to repair.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_list.pl?Arn=20080513ACD|date=May 13, 2008|title=Request for Special Temporary Authority|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|access-date=June 7, 2022|archive-date=June 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607043823/https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_list.pl?Arn=20080513ACD|url-status=live}}</ref> The channel 2 antenna failed completely on April 16, 2009, forcing KNAZ's analog signal to go dark permanently.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.rbr.com/knaz-bows-out-of-analog/|work=RBR|date=April 18, 2009|title=KNAZ bows out of analog|access-date=June 7, 2022|archive-date=February 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224045745/https://www.rbr.com/knaz-bows-out-of-analog/|url-status=live}}</ref> KNAZ-TV was therefore forced to request that the FCC allow it to continue broadcasting in digital on channel 22, a change the FCC approved of on September 15, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-09-2058A1.pdf|title=Report and Order (DA 09-2058)|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|date=September 15, 2009|access-date=June 6, 2022|archive-date=April 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210401163057/https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-09-2058A1.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Notes==
{{notelist}}
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
* [https://www.12news.com/ KPNX website]
{{Phoenix TV}}
{{NBC Arizona}}
{{Tegna}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Knaz-Tv}}
[[Category:1970 establishments in Arizona]]
[[Category:Flagstaff, Arizona]]
[[Category:Former Gannett subsidiaries]]
[[Category:NBC affiliates]]
[[Category:Tegna Inc.]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1970]]
[[Category:Television stations in Arizona|NAZ-TV]]