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KTXS History

On January 28, 1956 KPAR became a reality for the Abilene-Sweetwater Market.

   As a CBS/ABC network affiliate KPAR became one of a 3-station chain owned by Dub Rogers, a pioneer in the television industry. KDOB-Lubbock-KMOM-Monahans/Odessa and now KPAR-Abilene-Sweetwater.

   The first studio was located in Sweetwater with secondary studios on Pine Street in downtown Abilene and then the Westgate Shopping Center.

   On 1966, with new call letters and a new owner, Ted Shanbaum of Dallas, KTXS moved to its current location on the Anson Highway.

   In the beginning local morning programs were broadcast originated in the Sweetwater Studios as well as the 6pm News.

   “Henry’s Den” with Michael Henry Martin and later “Sylvia’s Chalet” with Sylvia Holmes, which also included “Super nature” with Louise Green and a farm report.

   Directed by remote in the Abilene Studio these programs communicated thru the phone system. “Pappy”, father of Bill Miller, long time Chief Engineer, was the sole cameraman.

   Before video tape recorders, News Stories were filmed using 35mm cameras and developed in the dark room at the studio. National commercials were on film. Local commercials were recorded and edited on two inch video tape.

   In 1979, when KTAB was organized as an off-shoot of NBC affiliate KRBC, Abilene’s first TV Station, KTXS owners had to decide which affiliate to chose. ABC at that time a young, fledging network, or CBS, the nations oldest and most popular. KTXS chose ABC who were to eventually create such mega hits as “Happy Days”, “Laverne & Shirley”, “Charlies Angels”, “The Love Boat”, “the Odd Couple”, “Mork & Mindy”, etc…

   As technology grew, large and cumbersome cameras became small and mobile.

   Directing the news went from simple to complex.