KCTU-LP

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KCTU-LP
KCTU-LP
Wichita, Kansas
Branding KCTU-TV5
Slogan Wichita... and the World
Channels 5 (VHF) analog
Affiliations ION Television
FamilyNet (secondary)
Vision Sports and Entertainment Network (secondary)
Owner River City Broadcasters, Inc.
Founded
Former affiliations Pax (1998-2005)
UATV (secondary, to 5/2006)
Website www.kctu.com

KCTU-LP is the i network affiliate in Wichita, Kansas. It is locally-owned by River City Broadcasters, and broadcasts on VHF channel 5, with no digital signal. In addition to i programming, the station has secondary affiliations with FamilyNet and Vision Sports and Entertainment Network, as such, the station does not run as many infomercials as most i affiliates. The station also produces some local public affairs programming, Your Hour (a newsmagazine) and River City Forum (a talk show).

KCTU was nominated for a Heartland Emmy Award for Best Dayside Newscast in 2005, reportedly the first such nomination for an English-language low power station in a Neilsen Top 160 market.

On February 1, 1998, KCTU became the first commercial television station in the world to broadcast 24/7 on the internet to reach more viewers. (Source: Wichita Business Journal, 2/16/98)

[edit] KCTU vs. Cox

Being a low-powered station, KCTU is not available on Cox cable. According to KCTU, the station originally presented the cable system with a petition from 6000 subscribers and community leaders to carry the station. Cox refused to grant KCTU channel space for free. According to KCTU, Cox increased their lease fee to $70,264 per month.[1] This has led KCTU to encourage Cox subscribers to keep demanding that they pick up the channel, and to watch the station over-the-air and on the internet.

Cox is not obligated to carry KCTU under "must-carry" regulations as they do not currently apply to low-powered stations.

[edit] External links