KVHP Launching ABC Feed On Subchannel

American Spirit Media will launch ABC Network programming on its KVHP Lake Charles, La. (DMA 174), at 5 a.m. CT on Thursday, Aug. 31, just in time for viewers to catch the last pre-season New Orleans Saints game that evening.

“Southwest Louisiana ABC” will appear on KVHP’s ch. 29.2.

Local Southwest Louisiana news will also be a big part of the schedule. Southwest Louisiana ABC will simulcast local news from Raycom Media’s NBC affiliate KPLC at 5-7 a.m., 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. An exclusive 6:30 p.m. weekday Southwest Louisiana ABC local newscast is slated to start in mid-October.

“American Spirit Media is pleased to provide Southwest Louisiana viewers with ABC programming,” said Tom Henson, the company’s owner. “We know our Southwest Louisiana Saints Fans will enjoy getting to see their favorite team play on Thursday, Aug. 31, and the great ABC programming lineup to follow, all coming from a station located where they work and play. We will also look for opportunities to grow our local programming efforts throughout our schedule as we move forward.”

“We look forward to working with the great team at American Spirit Media to provide the very best news and entertainment programming to viewers in Southwest Louisiana,” said John Rouse, executive vice president of affiliate relations and marketing, ABC Television Network.

To make room for the new network, CW Lake Charles will move to KPLC 7.2 on the same day. Here is how the new channel lineup will break out over the air:

• KVHP 29.1 FOX
• KVHP 29.2 ABC
• KPLC 7.1 NBC
• KPLC 7.2 CW
• KPLC 7.3 Bounce
• KPLC 7.4 Grit

Viewers who receive programming free over-the-air via an antenna will need to rescan their sets on Aug. 31 to receive the new lineups.