KSLA News 12 Shreveport, Louisiana |History of KSLA News 12

History of KSLA News 12

KSLA-TV's 1st transmitter tower in Mooringsport, LA stood at 1709' before it fell in 1977. It was replaced the same year with the current tower, which stands at 1,650', and carries KSLA's signal from the station to 387,060 homes across the ArkLaTex. KSLA-TV's 1st transmitter tower in Mooringsport, LA stood at 1709' before it fell in 1977. It was replaced the same year with the current tower, which stands at 1,650', and carries KSLA's signal from the station to 387,060 homes across the ArkLaTex.

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In the spirit of Halloween, our featured flashback photos this week take you on the set of the live local hosted horror movie program, "Terror!" starring local actress Ruth Sprayberry. 
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FLASHBACK FRIDAY: Weather then and now

Each week, we dig deeper into the archives for a look back at the long history of KSLA-TV.  More>>

FLASHBACK FRIDAY: KSLA-TV's founding fathers

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Each week, we dig deeper into the archives for a look back at the long history of KSLA-TV.  More>>

FLASHBACK FRIDAY: Holiday in Dixie 1957

Each week, we dig deeper into the archives for a look back at the long history of KSLA-TV.  More>>

KSLA News 12 has a proud tradition in the Ark-La-Tex dating back to January, 1954 when it became the first television station in this area to sign on the air. At the time, KSLA News 12 aired programming from all four networks - CBS, ABC, NBC and DuMont.  Over the years, other television stations signed on the air and KSLA News 12 became the one and only CBS station in the Ark-La-Tex.

From "Bob and his Buddies" to the Eyewitness News with Don Owen to the KSLA News 12 of today with Domonique Benn, Pat Simon, Chief Meteorologist Stephen Parr and Sportscaster Colin McElroy, more viewers in the Ark-La-Tex count on KSLA News 12 for their news, weather, sports and entertainment than any other television station.

We serve a huge geographical area that stretches south to Natchitoches, Louisiana, north to DeQueen, Arkansas, east to Ruston, Louisiana and west to Longview, Texas.

From the very beginning our slogan was "First in Shreveport."

What was the first program broadcast to our viewers?  The 1954 Orange Bowl.

KSLA News 12 is proud of its many innovations and "firsts" its seen through the years:

  • First television station in the Ark-La-Tex
  • First television station in the Ark-La-Tex to broadcast in color in 1967
  • First television station in the Ark-La-Tex to have its own Live Doppler Radar in 1998
  • First television station in the Ark-La-Tex to broadcast in HD (high definition)
  • First television station in the Ark-La-Tex to broadcast an all-local weather channel
  • First and only television station in the Ark-La-Tex with a 9 am newscast

And another first - on March 3, 1955, Elvis Presley made his first television appearance on KSLA News 12.

Today, KSLA News 12 is one of the most successful CBS television stations in America. KSLA News 12 is consistently #1 in overall programming and #1 when it comes to news coverage.

"Coverage You Can Count On" is something we believe in and work to deliver every day.  We are also known as the television station that "Tracks Storms." Our state-of-the-art weather equipment, live Doppler Radar and experienced meteorologists can be counted on to alert our viewers first of threatening weather.  "We Track Storms".

Our mission statement reads in part, "KSLA television exists to deliver compelling newscasts, informational and entertainment programming, that meets the needs and interests of our viewers and provides superior results in audience delivery to our advertisers."

In addition to our programming on KSLA News 12, we also broadcast two other television channels.

Our StormTracker 12 24/7 Weather Channel is available on digital channel 12.3. The channel features local weather 24 hours-a-day.

ThisTV Ark-La-Tex is an all-entertainment channel available on digital channel 12.2.  It features movies from the MGM film library and vintage television shows.

KSLA News 12 also has one of the most visited web sites in the Ark-La-Tex.  Ksla.com features up-to-the-minute news, weather and sports information as well as a dynamic place for local businesses to advertise.

KSLA News 12 has a long tradition of community involvement and supporting various agencies in the Ark-La-Tex to help the elderly keep cool in the summer with our annual Fan drive, children to stay warm in the winter through our Coats For Kids program, and other support for the United Way, Salvation Army, the Shreveport Regional Arts Council, the Susan Komen Race for the Cure, the Walk From Obesity, and the House for Hope.  Countless other local organizations also benefit from partnerships with KSLA News 12.

KSLA News 12 is owned by Raycom Media of Montgomery, Alabama.