KWSB-TV

KWSB-TV is a commercial-free independent television station located in Jacksonville, Arkansas and serves the Little Rock area. It operates on channel 18 and is owned by the KIVO Television Group which also owns flagship station KIVO-TV and other stations across the US and Canada. KWSB-TV offers a family-friendly programming format with a variety of news, talk, sports, movies, cartoons, preschool favorites, documentaries, and great family entertainment. Originally the station was owned by Jacksonville Television Inc., Kaiser Broadcasting, Field Communications, and KWSB Television Inc., but KIVO (formerly KTYS Television Corporation and KEXZ Broadcasting) operated and managed the station until 1994 when the owner acquires full control of the station.

1974-2005


1980-2005


1983-2005
KEXZ Broadcasting was acquired 20% by CBS Corporation in 1997.



2005-2014


In 2005, DirecTV bought a 20% stake in KWSB-TV. Thus, KWSB-TV becomes a DirecTV affiliate and rebranded itself as "DIRECTV 18". 

2014-present


As of January 6th, 2014, in order to redirect DirecTV's programming to KDLD-TV (channel 15) and other KIVO-owned stations, KWSB remain becomes a independent station and returning the branding as "KWSB 18" and offers a new family-friendly programming lineup with little and older kids all day, and families all night on 18.1, along with a general entertainment format under the branding "18+" on 18.2, a VOD-powered general entertainment channel under the branding "18Xtra" on 18.3, and a 24-hour preschool channel under the branding "18 Jr." on 18.4, along with new standardized graphics seen for all KIVO-owned television stations, a new music package for KWSB-TV is "The X Package" by Gari Media Group, and a new bigger always-on ticker which is a first for a television station.