KCWT-CD: The Rio Grande Valley's Broadcast Beacon
An in-depth exploration of a vital local television station, its technical specifications, affiliations, and history within the Entravision Communications network.
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Station Overview
Core Identity
KCWT-CD is a low-power, Class A television station licensed to McAllen, Texas. It serves the dynamic Lower Rio Grande Valley region, providing essential local broadcasting services.
Geographic Focus
Operating from McAllen, Texas, KCWT-CD's signal reaches the expansive Lower Rio Grande Valley, a significant bi-national media market.
Broadcasting Role
As a low-power station, KCWT-CD plays a crucial role in diversifying the local broadcast landscape, offering specialized programming and serving specific community needs.
Technical Specifications
Signal Details
KCWT-CD operates with an Effective Radiated Power (ERP) of 5 kW and has a Height Above Average Terrain (HAAT) of 266.8 meters (875 feet). Its transmitter is located in La Feria, Texas.
FCC Facility ID: 40058
Transmitter Coordinates: 26ยฐ8โฒ28โณN 97ยฐ50โฒ4โณW / 26.14111ยฐN 97.83444ยฐW
Digital & Virtual Channels
The station broadcasts its digital signal on UHF channel 23. It maps to virtual channel 21, a branding choice reflecting its presence on area cable systems and distinguishing it from other stations in the region.
Digital Channel: 23 (UHF)
Virtual Channel: 21
Subchannel Breakdown
KCWT-CD utilizes multiplexing to offer multiple programming streams:
| Channel | Video | Aspect | Short Name | Programming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21.1 | 1080i | 16:9 | KCWT-DT | Rio Grande Valley CW 21 |
| 21.3 | 480i | 16:9 | Laff | Laff |
| 21.4 | 1080i | 16:9 | PBS | PBS Rio Grande Valley |
Station History
Foundational Years
KCWT-CD was founded on August 11, 1997, and made its initial broadcast debut on May 21, 1998. Initially operating under the call sign K30FF, it later transitioned through KFTN-LP/CA and KCWT-CA before adopting its current KCWT-CD designation.
Founded: August 11, 1997
First Air Date: May 21, 1998
Channel Transitions
The station originally broadcast on analog channel 30. By March 2014, KCWT-CD launched its digital feed on RF channel 23. Despite the digital channel, it maintains virtual channel 21 for consistent branding and viewer recognition across the market.
Former Analog Channel: 30 (UHF, 1998โ2014)
Digital Launch: March 2014
Branding and Affiliation Evolution
KCWT-CD has been associated with The CW network in various capacities since 2007. It has long been branded as "CW 21" due to its cable channel position. Following the cessation of operations by XHRIO-TDT in December 2021, KCWT-CD became the sole CW+ affiliate serving the Rio Grande Valley.
Current Branding: Rio Grande Valley CW 21
Former Affiliations: Spanish Independent (1998โ2002), Telefutura (2002โ2011)
Network Affiliations
Primary Networks
KCWT-CD serves as a key affiliate for major networks:
- 21.1: The CW Plus (branded as Rio Grande Valley CW 21)
- 21.4: PBS (Public Broadcasting Service), providing educational and cultural programming.
Secondary Programming
Beyond its primary affiliations, KCWT-CD's subchannels extend its programming diversity:
- 21.3: Laff, a digital multicast television network featuring comedy programming.
Ownership & Management
Entravision Communications
KCWT-CD is owned and operated by Entravision Communications, a diversified media company specializing in Spanish-language and English-language television and radio stations, as well as digital media.
Owner: Entravision Communications
Legal Entity: Entravision Holdings, LLC
Sister Stations
Entravision's Rio Grande Valley Portfolio
KCWT-CD is part of a larger cluster of stations managed by Entravision Communications in the Rio Grande Valley, allowing for synergistic operations and broader market reach.
Sister Stations Include:
- KFXV (Fox affiliate)
- KNVO (Univision affiliate)
- KTFV-CD (UniMรกs affiliate)
- KMBH-LD
- KXFX-CD
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References
References
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Disclaimer
Important Notice Regarding Broadcast Information
This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is derived from publicly available data, primarily Wikipedia, and may not reflect the most current operational status or details of KCWT-CD.
This is not official broadcast information. The details provided, including technical specifications, affiliations, and historical data, are based on the source material at the time of its creation and may be subject to change. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please consult the station's official website, the FCC database, or other official broadcast industry resources.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any inaccuracies, omissions, or actions taken based on the information presented herein.