KLFT-LP

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KLFT-CA
Lafayette, Louisiana
Channels	21 (UHF) analog
Affiliations	The Sportsman Channel
Owner	Kay Sandoval
Founded	1991
Call letters meaning	LFT is Lafayette Regional Airport's IATA Airport Code
Former affiliations	the Box (1991-1999), Pax (1999-2004), UATV (2005-2006)
Website	http://www.klft21.com/

[edit] Introduction and Beginnings

KLFT-LP is a Low-Power (thus the -LP suffix) television station serving the Lafayette, Louisiana area. KLFT signed on in 1991 as K21DN Sunset, and was an affiliate of the now-defunct Jukebox network, which later became known simply as "the Box." The Box was a music video channel that provided a selection of around 50 popular titles that could be requested by viewers for a small fee by calling a 1-900 number and entering the 3-digit code that corresponded with the selected video. K21DN changed its calls to KLFT in 1995 and moved from Sunset to Lafayette shortly thereafter. In 1999, KLFT-LP dropped its music video format when programming time was leased to KDCG-LP (22, Opelousas), which used the station to simulcast its Pax programming. After not having a strong enough signal to warrant must-carry status on the Lafayette cable system, KDCG ended the LMA in 2004. Without any programming to air, the station aired nothing but a webcam image of its transmitting equipment with a posterboard reading "KLFT-LP LAFAYETTE" attached, intended to keep the station from losing its license for not properly identifying itself or being off the air for a long period of time. Finally, in October 2004, KLFT began airing programming from the Urban America Television network. Urban America TV's programming is mainly geared toward a Hispanic and Black audience. The network airs both original programs and, during many hours of the day, old movies. The network's original programs include "We the Jury," "America's Black Forum," and "State Police." UATV temporarily suspended operations in May 2006, upon which The Sportsman Channel replaced its feed.

[edit] Hurricanes

Additionally, after Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita, KLFT-LP ran boards of community service information 24 hours a day for a period of time after the storms.

[edit] External links

• Urban America Television Official Site
• Query the FCC's TV station database for KLFT-LP