Channel 13 Unveiled
A deep dive into the rich history, dynamic programming, and technical evolution of Los Angeles' iconic television station, KCOP-TV.
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Station Overview
Los Angeles' Channel 13
KCOP-TV, known on-air as Fox 11 Plus, is a prominent television station serving the Los Angeles, California, market. Operating on virtual channel 13 (digital VHF channel 13), it functions as the West Coast flagship station for the MyNetworkTV programming service. KCOP-TV is a key asset within the Fox Television Stations group, sharing its studio facilities in West Los Angeles with its sister station, Fox outlet KTTV (channel 11). The station's broadcast signal originates from its transmitter located atop the iconic Mount Wilson.
Genesis of a Broadcaster
The station first commenced broadcasting operations on September 17, 1948, under the call letters KLAC-TV, adopting the memorable moniker "Lucky 13." Initially, it was co-owned with the local radio station KLAC (570 AM). In its nascent years, KLAC-TV operated as an independent station, later supplementing its schedule with select programming from the DuMont Television Network from 1949 to 1955. This early period saw the rise of several television personalities who would become household names, including the legendary actress Betty White, who starred in "Al Jarvis's Make-Believe Ballroom" (later "Hollywood on Television") and her own sitcom, "Life with Elizabeth." Future stars like Regis Philbin and Leonard Nimoy also contributed behind the scenes, while Oscar Levant hosted his own show on the station.
Ownership Evolution
A Shifting Landscape
KCOP-TV's ownership history reflects the dynamic nature of the broadcasting industry. The station's initial co-ownership with KLAC radio marked its entry into the Los Angeles media scene. However, this structure was not long-lasting, as the station soon became a valuable acquisition target for various media conglomerates.
Key Acquisitions and Mergers
On December 23, 1953, the station was acquired by the now-defunct Copley Press, publishers of the *San Diego Union-Tribune*. This acquisition led to a significant change, as KLAC-TV's call letters were updated to the current KCOP, a direct reflection of Copley Press's ownership. A group led by the iconic entertainer Bing Crosby then purchased the station in June 1957. In 1959, the NAFI Corporation, which would later merge with Chris-Craft Boats to form Chris-Craft Industries, acquired channel 13. Chris-Craft Industries would become KCOP's longest-serving owner, maintaining control for over four decades. This period of stability under Chris-Craft was pivotal in shaping KCOP's identity in the Los Angeles market.
The Fox Era Begins
The turn of the millennium brought another major shift. On August 12, 2000, Chris-Craft agreed to sell its entire television station portfolio, including KCOP, to the Fox Television Stations subsidiary of News Corporation for a substantial sum of $5.5 billion. This landmark deal was finalized on July 31, 2001, and notably established a duopoly in Los Angeles, with KCOP-TV now operating alongside the Fox-owned-and-operated station KTTV. This consolidation under Fox marked a new chapter for KCOP, integrating it into one of the nation's largest broadcasting networks.
Network Affiliations
Independent & Early Networks
For its initial 46 years on air, KCOP (then KLAC-TV) primarily operated as a general entertainment independent station. It consistently ranked among the top independent stations in Southern California, often competing for the third or fourth spot with stations like KHJ-TV (now KCAL-TV). During this era, KCOP carried a diverse range of programming, including "Operation Prime Time" in 1978 and popular syndicated shows such as "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (and "The Original Series" before it), "The Arsenio Hall Show," and "Baywatch." It was also the original Los Angeles home for the syndicated versions of "Wheel of Fortune" and "Jeopardy!" KCOP also experimented with programming blocks like the "Hollywood Premiere Network" (1990) and the "Prime Time Entertainment Network" (1993-1995), and "Spelling Premiere Network" (1994).
The UPN Years (1995โ2006)
A significant shift occurred on October 27, 1993, when Chris-Craft and its broadcasting arm, United Television, partnered with Viacom's Paramount Pictures to establish the United Paramount Network (UPN). This partnership designated KCOP as UPN's Los Angeles affiliate, with the network officially launching on January 16, 1995. KCOP proudly served as UPN's West Coast "flagship" station, notably launching Paramount's "Star Trek: Voyager." Throughout the late 1990s, KCOP's programming strategy evolved to include a substantial amount of youth-oriented talk shows (such as "The Ricki Lake Show," "The Jenny Jones Show," and "The Montel Williams Show"), reality series, evening sitcoms, and popular syndicated cartoons like "Double Dragon" and "Sailor Moon," as well as the "Disney's One Too" block.
Transition to MyNetworkTV
The landscape changed again in 2000 when Viacom acquired CBS and Chris-Craft's 50% stake in UPN. Following Fox's acquisition of KCOP in 2001, the "Fox Kids" weekday block briefly moved to KCOP before its nationwide discontinuation in January 2002. UPN's "Disney's One Too" block continued until 2003, after which KCOP aired a morning cartoon block from DIC Entertainment until 2006, becoming the last local station to air weekday cartoons before replacing them with infomercials. On January 24, 2006, the announcement of The CW network (a merger of UPN and The WB) led to KTLA becoming the Los Angeles affiliate. Consequently, Fox removed all network references from its UPN stations, including KCOP, which rebranded from "UPN 13" to "Channel 13." On February 22, 2006, News Corporation launched MyNetworkTV, with KCOP designated as a core affiliate. KCOP officially dropped UPN on August 31, 2006, and began identifying as "MyNetworkTV, Channel 13," later simplified to "My13 Los Angeles."
Programming Dynamics
Scheduling Shifts
KCOP-TV's programming schedule has undergone several significant adjustments, particularly concerning its MyNetworkTV affiliation. As of September 14, 2015, the station began airing alternative programming such as "TMZ Live" and "Hollywood Today Live" during MyNetworkTV's traditional 8โ10 p.m. prime time slot, shifting MyNetworkTV's schedule to late-night hours (11:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.). This made KCOP a high-profile example of a Fox-owned station timeshifting MyNetworkTV programming. However, after the underperformance of its alternative prime time content, MyNetworkTV programming was reinstated to its 8โ10 p.m. slot a year later. On July 12, 2021, MyNetworkTV was again moved to late-nights (midnight to 2 a.m.), with prime time filled by off-network sitcoms, and the station rebranded as "KCOP 13." In January 2023, KCOP adopted the "Fox 11 Plus" branding, aligning it as a companion channel to KTTV. Further changes in July 2023 saw the replacement of "Catchy Comedy" simulcasts with "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "Dateline," and "TMZ Live," and the removal of "Fox Soul's Black Report" and "Fox Weather" segments. MyNetworkTV programming was briefly moved to 2โ4 p.m. between July and September 2023, before returning to its traditional 8โ10 p.m. slot on December 11, 2023.
Network Flexibility
Beyond its regular schedule, KCOP-TV plays a crucial role as a backup for its sister station. It is equipped to air Fox network programming should KTTV need to preempt its regular schedule for extensive breaking news coverage, severe weather events, or other special programming. This flexibility ensures that essential network content remains accessible to Los Angeles viewers even during unforeseen circumstances.
Sports Broadcasting
Local Teams & Major Events
KCOP-TV has a rich history of broadcasting local sports, serving as a key outlet for Los Angeles-area teams and events. From its inception in 1986 until 2001, Channel 13 was the broadcast home of the Los Angeles Marathon. It also carried games for the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers from 1991 to 1996, MLB's Los Angeles Dodgers from 2002 to 2005, and the Los Angeles Angels from 2006 to 2019, and again since 2021. More recently, KCOP has broadcast matches for MLS's Los Angeles FC from 2021 to 2022, and has secured rights for the NHL's Anaheim Ducks starting in 2024.
Wrestling & Boxing Legacy
In the 1970s, KCOP hosted its own weekly "Studio Wrestling" show, featuring legendary figures such as Freddie Blassie, John Tolos, Rocky Johnson, Andrรฉ the Giant, and The Sheik, with local announcer Dick Lane calling the action. Professional wrestling returned to KCOP with World Wrestling Entertainment's "Smackdown" during its UPN (1999-2006) and MyNetworkTV (2008-2010) affiliations. The station also aired "World Class Championship Wrestling" and National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) events. Live boxing matches from the Grand Olympic Auditorium in downtown Los Angeles were a staple from the late 1960s to the mid-1990s, often featuring sportscaster Jim Healy.
NFL and Overflow Coverage
KCOP carried St. Louis Rams preseason games from 2005 to 2007, produced by then-corporate siblings Fox Sports Midwest and KTVI. However, the NFL's broadcast committee later restricted teams from broadcasting preseason games beyond their secondary markets. Due to its previous common ownership with Fox Sports West and Prime Ticket, KCOP frequently served as an overflow channel for Bally Sports West and Bally Sports SoCal, airing games for teams like the Los Angeles Kings and Los Angeles Clippers. For instance, it aired Game 6 of the Clippers' 2011โ12 playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies. In the 2017 NFL season, KCOP broadcast two Los Angeles Chargers home games as an overflow for the "NFL on Fox."
Recent Developments
In the 2021 MLB season, KCOP was scheduled to air at least four Angels games due to scheduling conflicts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It also carried spring training games between the Angels and Dodgers in 2022, 2023, and 2024. A significant development for 2025 includes an announcement that 12 Sunday Angels games will be simulcast on KCOP and FanDuel Sports Network West, marking the largest package of Angels games on the station since 2011, alongside one exclusive Thursday game. For soccer, KCOP announced an agreement with Los Angeles FC in 2021 to broadcast select matches, expanding this in 2022. While LAFC games moved to MLS Season Pass in 2023, KCOP aired Coachella Valley Invitational preseason matches in February 2025 and announced a new agreement in April 2025 to re-air LAFC matches. Most notably, on August 27, 2024, the Anaheim Ducks announced a partnership with KCOP-TV and the FAST platform Victory+ to air all of its regional games starting in the 2024โ25 NHL season, with selected games also airing on KTTV.
News Operations
A History of Local News
KCOP has a long-standing history of producing local news programming. For many years, the station aired a prime time newscast at 10 p.m., complemented by a weekday afternoon newscast at 2 p.m. during the late 1970s and early 1980s. In the 1980s, its 10 p.m. local program was often paired with the syndicated "Independent Network News," produced by WPIX in New York City. Historically, Channel 13's news programs generally held the lowest ratings among the seven VHF television stations in the competitive Los Angeles market, with newscast lengths varying based on budget constraints.
Innovative Approaches & Rebranding
January 1993 saw an ambitious attempt to revitalize KCOP's news operation with the relaunch of its 10 p.m. newscast as "Real News." This new format was innovative, featuring anchors moving around the newsroom (a style pioneered by CITY-TV in Toronto), in-depth reports, and newsmagazine elements. This initiative included technological improvements and an expanded news staff. However, "Real News" did not achieve the desired ratings success and was scaled back to a half-hour on weeknights in May 1994, with anchors returning to a traditional desk format, and weekend newscasts being eliminated. Shortly thereafter, the newscast was rebranded as "UPN News 13." In the late 1990s, KCOP briefly experimented with a half-hour newscast at 3:30 p.m., later moving it to 7:30 p.m. weeknights.
Fox Era & Modernization
Upon Fox's acquisition of KCOP and the merger of its operations with KTTV, Channel 13's newscast was strategically moved to 11 p.m. to avoid direct competition with KTTV's hour-long 10 p.m. newscast. The length was trimmed to 30 minutes, and news production and resources began to be shared with KTTV. During this period, KCOP's late-evening newscast adopted an unconventional style, aiming to appeal to a younger demographic by featuring female anchors in trendy attire, shorter and faster-paced stories, and a strong emphasis on entertainment and trend-setting features. This approach successfully attracted a significant young audience, particularly among young Latinos, despite overall lower ratings. On April 10, 2006, KCOP expanded its newscast to one hour, making it the only Los Angeles station with an hour-long 11 p.m. news program. On August 14, 2006, it was rebranded as "My13 News" to reflect its MyNetworkTV affiliation.
End of KCOP-Branded News
On December 1, 2008, KCOP's 11 p.m. newscast was shortened to a half-hour and became anchored by KTTV's 10 p.m. anchors, Christine Devine and Carlos Amezcua, effectively serving as an extension of the earlier newscast. This marked the end of KCOP-branded and independently produced news, as the program was retitled "Fox News at 11." On September 10, 2012, KCOP launched a half-hour 7 p.m. newscast, also under the "Fox News" branding and anchored by Devine and Amezcua. However, on August 9, 2013, KCOP announced the cancellation of both its 7 and 11 p.m. newscasts, concluding a five-decade run of news programming on the station, with the final broadcast airing on September 22, 2013. While news programming ceased for a period, KCOP temporarily aired "Good Day L.A." from 7 to 9 a.m. during the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups when KTTV was broadcasting matches. A new development for March 3, 2025, will see KTTV launch "LA Live News Tonight" (8-10 p.m.), with KTTV's 11 p.m. newscast, "Good Nite LA," being simulcast on KCOP.
Technical Information
Digital Subchannels (ATSC 1.0)
KCOP-TV's ATSC 1.0 digital channels are broadcast via the multiplexed signals of other Los Angeles television stations, ensuring broad coverage and accessibility. This strategic arrangement allows KCOP to maintain its presence across the market while leveraging shared infrastructure.
Analog-to-Digital Transition
KCOP-TV participated in the federally mandated transition from analog to digital television, shutting down its analog signal on VHF channel 13 on June 12, 2009. Following this transition, the station's digital signal relocated from its interim UHF channel 66 to its original analog-era VHF channel 13. This move was part of a broader industry shift to more efficient digital broadcasting, which freed up high-band UHF channels for other uses.
ATSC 3.0 Lighthouse
KCOP-TV serves as an ATSC 3.0 (NextGen TV) "lighthouse" station, broadcasting the signals of several other Los Angeles television stations in this advanced digital format. This role is critical for the deployment of next-generation television services in the market, offering enhanced picture quality, interactive features, and improved emergency alerts. The ATSC 3.0 standard represents a significant leap forward in broadcast technology.
Broadcast Translators
To extend its reach and ensure signal reception in more remote or challenging terrains within its service area, KCOP-TV utilizes several broadcast translators. These translators rebroadcast the station's signal on different frequencies, effectively filling in coverage gaps and providing a clearer signal to communities that might otherwise experience poor reception.
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References
References
- Fox Sports extends TV contract with Anaheim Ducks Los Angeles Times
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