View source for KVAW

{{short description|Independent television station in Eagle Pass, Texas, United States}}
{{Infobox television station
| callsign               = KVAW
| city                   =
| country                = United States
| logo                   =
| branding               =
| analog                 =
| digital                = 18 ([[ultra high frequency|UHF]])
| virtual                = 24
| translators            =
| affiliations           = [[Dark (broadcasting)|Silent]]
| network                =
| founded                =
| airdate                = {{start date and age|1991|6|15|p=y}}
| enddate                =
| location               = [[Eagle Pass, Texas]]
| callsign_meaning       =
| former_callsigns       =
| former_channel_numbers = '''Analog:'''<br>16 (UHF, 1991–2009)
| owner                  = Núcleo Radio Televisión
| licensee               = NRT Communications Group, [[Limited liability company|LLC]]
| sister_stations        =
| former_affiliations    = [[Telemundo]] (1991–1996)<br>SUR (1996–2000)<br>[[HTVN]] (2000–2003)<br>[[Mas Musica]] (2003–2006)<br>[[Tr3́s]] (2006–2008)<br>[[Multimedios Televisión]] (2008–2009)<br>[[Independent station (North America)|Independent]] (2009–2022)
| erp                    = 50 [[kilowatt|kW]]
| haat                   = {{convert|84.7|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| class                  =
| facility_id            = 32621
| coordinates            = {{coord|28|43|32.3|N|100|28|33.5|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|display=inline, title}}
| licensing_authority    = [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]]
| homepage               =
}}
'''KVAW''' (channel 24) is a [[television station]] in [[Eagle Pass, Texas]], United States, which is currently [[Dark (broadcasting)|silent]]. Founded June 29, 1989, the station is owned by the NRT Communications Group, the American arm of Núcleo Radio y Televisión, which owns media assets in the Mexican state of [[Coahuila]].<ref name=NRT_sale_grant>{{cite web |url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_det.pl?Application_id=1413286 |title=Application Search Details |date=May 12, 2011 |work=CDBS Public Access |publisher=FCC |access-date=May 12, 2011}}</ref> KVAW formerly carried programming from [[Telemundo]], [[HTVN]] as an [[owned-and-operated station]], and later from [[Mas Musica]], the predecessor of the station's latest network, [[Tr3́s]], and [[Multimedios Televisión]].
==History==
The [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) granted to Juan Wheeler, Jr., a permit on June 29, 1989 to construct a new television station that would serve Eagle Pass on [[UHF]] channel 16.<ref name=cp_iss>{{cite web |url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_det.pl?Application_id=119826 |title=Application Search Details |work=CDBS Public Access |publisher=FCC |date=June 29, 1989 |access-date=February 19, 2011}}</ref> The station signed on June 15, 1991;<ref name="tf1993">{{cite book|title=Television & Cable Factbook 1993 Edition|year=1993|page=A-1112|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1993-TV-Factbook/Television-Factbook-1993-OK-VI.pdf|format=PDF|access-date=September 17, 2018}}</ref> Wheeler applied for a license for the station on June 14, 1991, which was not granted until January 1996.<ref name=lic_app>{{cite web |url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_det.pl?Application_id=162272 |title=Application Search Details |work=CDBS Public Access |publisher=FCC |date=June 14, 1991 |access-date=February 19, 2011}}</ref> During this time, KVAW operated as a [[Telemundo]] affiliate serving the immediate Eagle Pass/[[Piedras Negras, Coahuila|Piedras Negras]] area, including local news. In 1996, with Wheeler eyeing coverage in [[San Antonio]] where a Telemundo station already existed, he changed the program source to SUR and began simulcasting on an LPTV station, K52EA (now unrelated [[K17MJ-D]]). The station's nonexistent signal in San Antonio, however, hampered efforts to force San Antonio's cable systems to carry it.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-96-1845A1.pdf|date=6 November 1996|title=In Matter of Petition of KBL CABLESYSTEMS OF THE SOUTHWEST, INC. dba PARAGON CABLE — For Modification of Market of Station KVAW, Eagle Pass, Texas|publisher=FCC}}</ref>
The station was sold to HTVN in August 2000 under unusual circumstances, as a dispute arose over ownership of the station, which was settled in court in HTVN's favor. HTVN filled out Wheeler's portion of the application to assign the license and it was signed on Wheeler's behalf by the sheriff of [[Maverick County, Texas|Maverick County]], in which Eagle Pass is located, as Wheeler was thought to have left the country.<ref name=htvn_sale_app>{{cite web |url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=100515802&formid=314&fac_num=32621 |title=Application for Consent to Assignment of Broadcast Station Construction Permit or License |work=CDBS Public Access |publisher=FCC |date=August 24, 2000 |access-date=February 19, 2011}}</ref><ref name=htvn_sale_legal>{{cite web |url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/leg_det.pl?Application_id=162272&File_number=BLCT-19910614KH |title=Legal Action Information |work=CDBS Public Access |publisher=FCC |date=September 20, 2000 |access-date=February 19, 2011}}</ref> After HTVN went bankrupt, ownership of the station passed to Dr. Joseph Zavaletta in December 2003, and it became an affiliate of Mas Musica.<ref name=zava_sale_search>{{cite web |url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_det.pl?Application_id=711003 |title=Application Search Details |work=CDBS Public Access |publisher=FCC |date=December 15, 2003 |access-date=February 19, 2011}}</ref><ref name=zava_sale_pn>{{cite web |url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/comment.pl?Application_id=711003&File_number=BALCT-20031215ABQ |title=Public Notice Comment |work=CDBS Public Access |publisher=FCC |date=December 15, 2003 |access-date=February 19, 2011}}</ref> On September 25, 2006, Mas Musica was revamped as the new MTV Tr3́s network, which was created as a result of [[Viacom (2005–2019)|Viacom]]'s acquisition of Mas Musica.
In 2008, Dr. Zavaletta affiliated KVAW with [[Multimedios Televisión]], which has a strong presence in northeast Mexico. In July, KVAW relaunched as the Multimedios station for the Eagle Pass/Piedras Negras area with cable coverage extending from Del Rio to the Cinco Manantiales region.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.zocalo.com.mx/seccion/articulo/gran-inauguracion-de-multimedios-television|work=Zócalo|title=Gran inauguración de Multimedios Televisión|date=26 July 2008|first=Homero|last=Gómez Valdés|access-date=14 October 2016}}</ref><!--This is corroborated by the appearance of Multimedios shows in KVAW's KidVid reports at this time which also list Multimedios as the network--> The brief flirtation with Multimedios ended in February 2009, resulting in the closure of the local operation set up just seven months prior.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.zocalo.com.mx/seccion/articulo/cierra-empresa-de-television-en-la-ciudad|work=Zócalo|title=Cierra empresa de televisión en la ciudad|date=6 February 2009|first=Hilda|last=Águilar|access-date=14 October 2016}}</ref>
==Digital television==
In the final FCC DTV channel allotment, released December 18, 1998, KVAW was assigned channel 18 for pre-transition digital operations.<ref name=dtv_allot>{{cite web |url=http://www.transmitter.com/FCC98315/TXatwch.html |title=FCC98-315 DTV Channel Allotments - Texas |first=H. Douglas |last=Lung |date=April 30, 1999 |work=Doug Lung's R.F. Page |access-date=February 19, 2011 }}</ref> During the process of the sale of the station to HTVN, it was discovered that the initial owner had not filed an application for a digital channel, and faced with losing the opportunity to operate a paired digital facility, HTVN filed the application, which was approved by the FCC.<ref name=htvn_sale_legal/><ref name=dtv_app1>{{cite web |url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=100532911&formid=301&fac_num=32621 |title=Application for Construction Permit for Commercial Broadcast Station |work=CDBS Public Access |publisher=FCC |date=November 1, 2000 |access-date=February 19, 2011}}</ref> HTVN was not able to build the digital facilities due to its bankruptcy, but Dr. Zavaletta completed construction and applied for a license to operate on channel 18 in November 2006.<ref name=dtv_lic>{{cite web |url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_det.pl?Application_id=1175961 |title=Application Search Details |work=CDBS Public Access |publisher=FCC |date=November 15, 2006 |access-date=February 19, 2011}}</ref> Zavaletta initially selected channel 18 for post-transition operations, but later had the FCC change the allotment to channel 24.<ref name=chan_elec>{{cite web |url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101043499&formid=382&fac_num=32621 |title=Digital Channel Election Form |date=February 10, 2005 |work=CDBS Public Access |publisher=FCC |access-date=February 19, 2011}}</ref>
==License revocation and reinstatement==
The expense of building digital facilities and operations in a small, rural town, which limited revenue opportunities, soon began to take its toll, and Zavaletta first began seeking a buyer for the station, then requested to move the station's transmitter location closer to San Antonio, in order to increase the population of its service area.<ref name=silent_sta_2007>{{cite web |url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101196396&formid=910&fac_num=32621 |title=Notification of Suspension of Operations / Request for Silent STA |date=July 24, 2007 |work=CDBS Public Access |publisher=FCC |access-date=February 19, 2011}}</ref><ref name=reloc_app>{{cite web |url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cdbs/CDBS_Attachment/getattachment.jsp?appn=101250991&qnum=5440&copynum=1&exhcnum=1 |title=Engineering Statement |date=May 9, 2008 |work=CDBS Public Access |publisher=FCC |access-date=February 19, 2011}}</ref> Before construction could begin on the new facilities, Mexican approval of the request would need to be obtained, due to the station's proximity to Mexico. KVAW would have to be broadcasting on its final post-transition channel by the end of the DTV conversion, June 12, 2009, and since the FCC had changed the allocation from channel 18 to channel 24, it was no longer authorized to broadcast on channel 18. The station filed for Special Temporary Authorization (STA) to continue operations on channel 18 following June 12, 2009, but that authorization expired August 18 and would need to be renewed.<ref name=sta_2009>{{cite web |url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101309490&formid=387&fac_num=32621 |title=DTV Transition Status Report |date=April 16, 2009 |work=CDBS Public Access |publisher=FCC |access-date=February 19, 2011}}</ref> The STA was not renewed and on December 7, 2009, the station went silent again, due to financial reasons.<ref name=silent_sta_2009>{{cite web |url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101349398&formid=910&fac_num=32621 |title=Notification of Suspension of Operations / Request for Silent STA |date=December 17, 2009 |work=CDBS Public Access |publisher=FCC |access-date=February 19, 2011}}</ref> Silent broadcast facilities must return to air within one year of going silent, or the license can be revoked, and on December 2, 2010, the station notified the FCC that it had resumed operations as of November 30.<ref name=resume_ops_2010>{{cite web |url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=23273 |title=Notification of Resumption of Operations |date=December 2, 2010 |work=CDBS Public Access |publisher=FCC |access-date=February 19, 2011}}</ref> When the station once again filed for Silent STA on December 17, 2010, it was discovered that its authorization to broadcast had expired August 18, 2009, and since unauthorized operations did not count, the station was deemed to have not legally broadcast for more than a year, and the FCC revoked the station's license on February 15, 2011.<ref name=lic_revoc>{{cite web |url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=24267 |title=RE: KVAW, Eagle Pass, Texas |date=February 15, 2011 |work=CDBS Public Access |publisher=FCC |access-date=February 19, 2011}}</ref> Then, on March 11, 2011, the FCC reversed its decision and reinstated KVAW's license and its application to transfer the station from the estate of Dr. Zavaletta to NRT Communications Group, LLC.<ref name=lic_reinstatement>{{cite web |url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=24830 |title=RE: DKVAW, Eagle Pass, Texas (license) |date=March 11, 2011 |work=CDBS Public Access |publisher=FCC |access-date=March 17, 2011}}</ref><ref name=xfer_reinstatement>{{cite web |url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=24832 |title=RE: DKVAW, Eagle Pass, Texas (sale)|date=March 11, 2011 |work=CDBS Public Access |publisher=FCC |access-date=March 17, 2011}}</ref> The sale was approved by the FCC two months later.<ref name=NRT_sale_grant/>
Early in 2013, NRT, which is associated with a Mexican company that owns several radio and local cable stations in [[Coahuila]], returned KVAW to the air. It currently brands as channel 24. It carries some programs relayed from its cable stations in [[Saltillo]] and [[Monclova, Coahuila|Monclova]].
==References==
{{reflist}}
== External links ==
*[http://livestream.com/accounts/11328675/events/3653799 KVAW live stream]
*[https://www.facebook.com/nrt.noticias KVAW on Facebook]
*
{{San Antonio TV}}
{{Eagle Pass – Piedras Negras TV}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kvaw}}
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1991]]
[[Category:Television stations in Texas]]
[[Category:1991 establishments in Texas]]