KGLA-DT: Serving the New Orleans Spanish-Language Market
KGLA-DT is a prominent television station licensed to Hammond, Louisiana, and serving the broader New Orleans metropolitan area. As a primary affiliate of the Telemundo network, the station provides essential Spanish-language programming and news to a growing demographic in the Gulf South region.
Owned by Mayavision, Inc., the station operates its studios on South I-10 Service Road West in Metairie, while its transmitter is strategically located on Paris Road/Highway 47, northeast of Chalmette. Under the branding Telemundo 42, and Telenoticias 42 for its news broadcasts, the station serves as a vital communication link for the Hispanic community.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Key Facts
- Call Sign: KGLA-DT (Channel 42)
- Affiliation: Telemundo (Primary)
- City of License: Hammond, Louisiana
- Ownership: Mayavision, Inc.
- Launch Date: June 5, 2007
- Technical Status: Digital-only since inception
Station History and Evolution
KGLA-DT first signed on the air on June 5, 2007, originally under the call sign WHMM-DT. It holds a unique place in American broadcasting history as one of the few full-power television stations to launch as a digital-only entity, meaning it never operated a companion analog signal.
At its debut, the station operated with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 1 megawatt—the maximum wattage permitted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for digital stations. This high power allowed it to become the only full-power Spanish-language station in the New Orleans market, distinguishing it from Class A stations like WTNO-CD.
The station's launch coincided with a significant demographic shift. Between 2005 and 2007, the Hispanic population in New Orleans grew from 6% to between 12% and 14%, a surge largely attributed to the influx of reconstruction jobs following Hurricane Katrina.
Call Sign and Geographic Oddity
The station changed its call letters to KGLA-TV on August 27, 2007, and later adopted the "-DT" suffix on December 21, 2007. The call sign was grandfathered from a sister radio station, KGLA (now WFNO), which refers to Gretna, Louisiana.
Interestingly, KGLA-DT is one of the few stations in the United States with a call sign beginning with "K" that is licensed to a location east of the Mississippi River, as "K" prefixes are typically reserved for stations west of the river.
Technical Specifications and Programming
KGLA-DT utilizes a multiplexed signal, allowing it to broadcast several subchannels simultaneously to provide a variety of content to its viewers.
| Subchannel | Resolution | Programming | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 42.1 | 1080i | Telemundo | 16:9 |
| 42.2 | 480i | Laff | 4:3 |
| 42.3 | 480i | MovieSphere Gold | 4:3 |
| 42.4 | 480i | SonLife (via WLFT-CD) | 4:3 |
Transmission Details
- Digital Channel: 35 (UHF)
- Virtual Channel: 42
- ERP: 681 kW
- HAAT (Height Above Average Terrain): 309 meters (1,014 ft)
- Facility ID: 83945
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary affiliation of KGLA-DT?
KGLA-DT is primarily affiliated with Telemundo, a major Spanish-language television network.
Why is the "K" in the call sign unusual for this location?
In the United States, broadcast stations east of the Mississippi River usually start with "W," while those to the west start with "K." KGLA-DT is licensed to Hammond, Louisiana (east of the river), but was grandfathered into the "K" call sign from its sister radio station.
Was KGLA-DT ever an analog station?
No. KGLA-DT launched on June 5, 2007, as a digital-only station, making it one of the first full-power stations in the U.S. to do so without an analog counterpart.
Who owns KGLA-DT?
The station is owned by Mayavision, Inc., which also has ties to sister stations KGLA and WFNO.
What other channels can be found on KGLA's signal?
In addition to Telemundo on 42.1, the station broadcasts Laff (42.2), MovieSphere Gold (42.3), and a simulcast of SonLife via WLFT-CD (42.4).