KMTW Television: A History of Ownership and Affiliation in Wichita
The landscape of local broadcasting in the Wichita–Hutchinson market has been shaped by complex ownership agreements and shifting network alliances. At the center of this evolution is KMTW, a station whose journey from a construction permit to a digital multicast hub reflects the broader trends of the American television industry.
Founding and Early Ownership
The station's origins date back to June 27, 1997, when Clear Channel Communications—the owner of Fox affiliate KSAS-TV—entered into a local marketing agreement (LMA), a contract where one company operates a station owned by another, with Three Feathers Communications, Inc. The new venture in Hutchinson, Kansas, was initially named KAWJ before adopting the call letters KSCC ("Kansas Clear Channel") on October 9, 1998.
Ownership shifted quickly in the early years. In October 1999, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved the sale of the license to Viacom's Paramount Stations Group. The station officially signed on the air on January 5, 2001, as an owned-and-operated affiliate of UPN. This was a rare occurrence for a market the size of Wichita. However, just before the launch, the license assets were sold to the San Antonio-based Mercury Broadcasting Company, which took full ownership in June 2001.
The Struggle for a Duopoly
In 2003, Clear Channel attempted to purchase the station outright. To do so, they required a "failing station" waiver from the FCC. This waiver is a special approval granted when a station is in financial distress, allowing a company to bypass standard ownership limits.
The FCC denied the request because the Wichita–Hutchinson designated market area (DMA) only contains seven "unique" full-power stations. Under FCC rules, parent stations and their satellites are counted as a single entity. Because the market lacked enough unique stations to legally support a duopoly—the ownership of two stations in one market by a single entity—the sale could not proceed without the waiver.
Transition to MyNetworkTV
The mid-2000s brought a seismic shift to American broadcast television. In January 2006, CBS Corporation and Time Warner announced the shutdown of UPN and The WB to create a new network, The CW. In response, News Corporation launched MyNetworkTV to provide an alternative for stations not selected for The CW.
On June 15, 2006, KSCC was announced as the charter affiliate for MyNetworkTV in Wichita. Consequently, the station changed its callsign to KMTW on August 1 and officially began airing MyNetworkTV programming on September 5, 2006.
Corporate Shifts and Legal Challenges
Between 2007 and 2012, the station's management passed through several corporate hands. Clear Channel sold its television interests, including the LMA with KMTW, to Newport Television in 2008. By December 3, 2012, the Sinclair Broadcast Group acquired KSAS-TV and the LMA for KMTW as part of a larger $1 billion deal. This acquisition included an option for Sinclair to buy KMTW outright if FCC ownership rules were ever relaxed.
Legal troubles emerged in July 2021 when the FCC issued a Forfeiture Order against Mercury Broadcasting. This followed a lawsuit by AT&T alleging that Mercury failed to negotiate retransmission consent—the agreement between a broadcaster and a cable/satellite provider to carry the station's signal—in good faith. While initially fined $512,228, the penalty was reduced to $30,000 due to financial hardship.
Modern Era and Digital Multicasting
Following the FCC fine, the station's programming structure changed significantly. On September 20, 2021, MyNetworkTV programming moved from KMTW's primary channel to KSAS-TV 24.2. This triggered a shuffle of digital subchannels: TBD moved to KMTW 36.4, and Dabl moved to the primary 36.1 position.
The station continued to evolve its content offerings, eventually dropping Dabl in August 2025 to flip to the Roar network.
Key Facts
- Original Callsign: KAWJ, then KSCC, and finally KMTW.
- Launch Date: January 5, 2001.
- Primary Affiliations: UPN (2001–2006), MyNetworkTV (2006–2021).
- Current Owner: Mercury Broadcasting Company (managed via LMA by Sinclair Broadcast Group).
- Recent Network Flip: Transitioned to Roar in August 2025.
| Year | Owner/Manager | Primary Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| 1997–2001 | Three Feathers / Clear Channel | UPN (Secondary on KSAS) |
| 2001–2006 | Mercury Broadcasting / Clear Channel | UPN |
| 2006–2008 | Mercury Broadcasting / Clear Channel | MyNetworkTV |
| 2008–2012 | Mercury Broadcasting / Newport Television | MyNetworkTV |
| 2012–2021 | Mercury Broadcasting / Sinclair | MyNetworkTV |
| 2021–2025 | Mercury Broadcasting / Sinclair | Dabl |
| 2025–Present | Mercury Broadcasting / Sinclair | Roar |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did KMTW change its callsign in 2006?
The station changed its callsign from KSCC to KMTW to align with its new status as the charter affiliate for MyNetworkTV in the Wichita market.
What is a local marketing agreement (LMA)?
An LMA is a contractual arrangement where one company operates a television station owned by another company, often to share resources or manage multiple stations in a single market without violating ownership caps.
Why was Clear Channel denied the right to buy KMTW in 2003?
The FCC denied a "failing station" waiver because the Wichita–Hutchinson market did not have enough unique full-power stations to legally support a duopoly under the regulations of that time.
What caused the FCC fine against Mercury Broadcasting in 2021?
The fine resulted from a lawsuit by AT&T, which alleged that Mercury Broadcasting failed to negotiate retransmission consent agreements in good faith.
Where did MyNetworkTV programming move in 2021?
MyNetworkTV programming moved from KMTW's main signal to the digital subchannel KSAS-TV 24.2.