Before becoming an affiliate of MyNetworkTV, KTOV-LP (on channel 7, the former K07UD) was a UPN affiliate beginning in 1999. It assumed the affiliation from KTMV-LP, a station that began carrying Tejano music videos in 1997[1] but remained on cable in KTOV-LP's stead when it picked up UPN.[2]
Don Gillis and Fred Hoffmann started a third station, KCBO-LP "Coastal Box Office" focusing on sports and movies, in 2001.[3] In 2004, the call signs and programming were switched between channels 7 and 21.
GH Broadcasting announced that it would sell KTOV-LP to London Broadcasting Company, owner of KIII (channel 3), in March 2012.[4] The sale fell through in early 2013, after which GH declared bankruptcy, remaining as debtor-in-possession. In late 2014, the sale of the station to Corpus 18, LLC, a partnership formed by the noteholders of debt of GH and High Maintenance Broadcasting, owners of KUQI and a related business to GH, was finalized. On October 2, 2015, Corpus 18 agreed to sell KTOV-LP, KUQI, and KXPX-LP to Sinclair Broadcast Group for $9.25 million.[5]
KTOV-LP's license was canceled by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on April 3, 2018; its programming is now seen exclusively on KSCC-DT3.