What Happened to WKYT-TV?
WKYT-TV, based in Lexington, Kentucky, is a CBS and The CW-affiliated television station owned by Gray Television. Since its inception as WKXP-TV in 1957, the station has undergone several ownership and affiliation changes, ultimately establishing itself as a dominant force in local news and programming in the Central and Eastern Kentucky market. As of May 2026, WKYT continues its broadcast operations, though it is currently involved in a carriage dispute with DISH Network.
Quick Answer
WKYT-TV is a CBS and The CW-affiliated television station serving Lexington, Kentucky, and surrounding regions, owned by Gray Television. It has been a prominent local news provider since its founding in 1957. As of May 2026, WKYT-TV remains a key broadcast entity in Kentucky, offering local news, sports, and lifestyle programming, and is accessible via antenna, cable, and its streaming app, WKYT+. The station is currently in a contract dispute with DISH Network, leading to a temporary blackout for some subscribers.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
FCC Authorizes Channel 27 for Lexington
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) initially authorized the construction of a television station on UHF channel 27 in Lexington, Kentucky, to WLAP, though construction was delayed for economic reasons.
Station Signs On as WKXP-TV
The station officially began broadcasting as WKXP-TV, initially operating as an independent station before quickly becoming a CBS affiliate.
Call Letters Change to WKYT-TV Under Taft Broadcasting
Following FCC authorization on May 14, 1958, the station was sold to what became Taft Broadcasting, and its call letters were changed to WKYT-TV.
Switches to ABC Affiliation
Under Taft Broadcasting, WKYT-TV switched its network affiliation from CBS to ABC as part of a group affiliation agreement.
Acquired by Kentucky Central Life Insurance Company, Returns to CBS
Kentucky Central Life Insurance Company acquired WKYT-TV for $2.5 million, and the station subsequently returned to its CBS affiliation, which it has largely maintained since.
Launches WYMT-TV as Semi-Satellite
Kentucky Central expanded its CBS service by purchasing WKYH-TV in Hazard and relaunching it as WYMT-TV, a semi-satellite of WKYT-TV, significantly extending its market reach.
Acquired by Gray Communications Systems (Gray Television)
Due to financial troubles at Kentucky Central, WKYT-TV and WYMT-TV were acquired by Gray Communications Systems, now known as Gray Television, which remains its owner.
Begins Producing Newscast for WDKY-TV
WKYT-TV entered into an agreement with Fox affiliate WDKY-TV to produce a 10 p.m. newscast, a relationship that proved successful for many years.
Shuts Down Analog Signal
WKYT-TV ceased broadcasting its analog signal over UHF channel 27 as part of the nationwide digital television transition.
Moves to Digital UHF Channel 36
After initially broadcasting digitally on VHF channel 13, WKYT-DT moved to digital UHF channel 36 due to reception issues, a change approved by the FCC.
Repacked to RF Channel 21
As part of the FCC's spectrum repack, WKYT-TV transitioned its digital signal from channel 36 to RF channel 21.
Ends News Production Agreement with WDKY-TV
The long-standing agreement for WKYT-TV to produce newscasts for WDKY-TV concluded when WDKY's new owner, Nexstar Media Group, decided to establish its own newsroom.
CW Subchannel Affiliates with Indiana Fever Television Network
WKYT's CW subchannel began carrying 17 games of the Indiana Fever television network during the 2024 season, with some games also seen in 2025.
DISH Network Blackout Due to Contract Dispute
WKYT-TV, along with other Gray Media stations, was removed from DISH Network's lineup due to a contract dispute over retransmission fees, affecting viewers in the Lexington market.
Continues Broadcasts Amidst DISH Dispute
As of today, WKYT-TV continues to broadcast its CBS and The CW programming, including local news and weather updates, accessible via antenna, cable, and its WKYT+ streaming app, while the DISH Network dispute remains ongoing.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
WKYT-TV's journey began on September 30, 1957, when it first signed on as WKXP-TV, initially operating as an independent station before quickly affiliating with CBS. Its early years were marked by ownership shifts, including a brief period under Taft Broadcasting from 1958 to 1967, during which it switched its primary affiliation to ABC. However, a pivotal moment arrived in 1967 when Kentucky Central Life Insurance Company acquired the station, returning its primary affiliation to CBS, a relationship that would solidify its market position.
The station's influence expanded significantly in 1985 when Kentucky Central purchased WKYH-TV in Hazard, rebranding it as WYMT-TV and establishing it as a semi-satellite of WKYT-TV, extending its reach into Eastern Kentucky. This move was seen by competitors as an 'empire plan' to gain a competitive advantage. The early 1990s brought financial turmoil for Kentucky Central, leading to its takeover by the state of Kentucky in 1993. Consequently, WKYT-TV and WYMT-TV were put on the market and acquired by Gray Communications Systems, now known as Gray Television, which continues to own the station today.
Under Gray Television's ownership, WKYT-TV has continued to be a dominant force in Lexington television, particularly in local news. It has adapted to technological changes, including the analog-to-digital conversion, shutting down its analog signal in 2009 and transitioning to digital UHF channels, eventually settling on RF channel 21 in 2019. The station also expanded its local news production, including a long-standing agreement to produce newscasts for Fox affiliate WDKY-TV, which ended in January 2022 when Nexstar Media Group, WDKY's new owner, opted to staff its own newsroom.
In recent years, WKYT has embraced digital platforms, launching the WKYT+ streaming app to provide its programming to a wider audience. The station also diversified its non-news programming, including local lifestyle shows like 'Everyday Kentucky' and sports programs such as the 'Scholastic Ball Report'. A significant development in March 2026 saw WKYT-TV, along with other Gray Media stations, removed from DISH Network's lineup due to a contract dispute over retransmission fees. This ongoing dispute highlights the challenges faced by local broadcasters in negotiating carriage agreements with pay-TV providers. As of May 19, 2026, WKYT-TV continues to broadcast its CBS and CW programming, including comprehensive weather updates and local news, accessible through alternative means like antennas and its streaming app.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if WKYT-TV made different choices?