WFAA 8 Dallas-Fort Worth's TEGNA sister station KMPX 29 is changing call-letters and formats to KFAA 29.
Previously Estrella TV, a Spanish-language channel, the switch will take effect at 7 a.m. on October 20, when KFAA assumes control of the Channel 29.1 signal. Spanish-language programming currently airing on that channel will move to Channel 29.2.
This rebranding is part of WFAA and TEGNA's multi-year agreement to broadcast Dallas Mavericks games. KFAA will air all 70 non-nationally televised Mavericks games this season, with at least 15 simulcast on WFAA's Channel 8.
The following simulcast dates have been announced: October 31, November 19, December 3, December 19, January 23, January 27, and January 29. More simulcast dates will be revealed later. In addition, Channel 8 will carry five Mavericks games as part of ABC's national NBA schedule, airing on December 25, January 25, February 23, March 9, and March 16.
The season kicks off on Saturday, October 26, when the Mavericks take on the Phoenix Suns at 9 p.m. on KFAA. Dallas will then face the Utah Jazz on Monday, October 28, and the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday, October 29, both exclusively on KFAA.
Starting with the Mavs vs. Suns game on October 26, the following eight additional stations will broadcast all games not exclusively televised nationally – 70 or more in the first season – for free over-the-air:
Amarillo, Texas – KFDA 10.2 (Independent – Gray)
El Paso, Texas – KDBC 4.2 (MyNetworkTV – Sinclair)
Harlingen-Brownsville, Texas – KGBT 4.1 (MyNetworkTV – Nexstar)
Laredo, Texas – KXNU 10.2 (Gray Sports – Gray)
Lubbock, Texas – KMYL 14.1 (MyNetworkTV – Gray)
Sherman, Texas – KXII 12.2 (MyNetworkTV – Gray)
Shreveport, La. & Texarkana, Texas – KSHV 45.1 (MyNetworkTV – Nexstar)
Wichita Falls, Texas & Lawton, Okla. – KJBO 3.2 (MyNetworkTV – Nexstar)
Pre- and post-game shows will be available in most markets.
“We’re thrilled by the positive response from fans and advertising partners as we gear up to significantly expand the reach of Mavs games,” said Brad Ramsey, senior vice president, media operations, TEGNA. “We are grateful to our partner stations from Gray, Nexstar, and Sinclair for helping us create more excitement, for more fans, in even more homes across Texas.”
“Providing access to games has always been our top priority,” said Dallas Mavericks CEO Cynt Marshall. “We are thrilled to work with WFAA to bring more fun and excitement to all of our MFFLs across North Texas and beyond.”
“We’re delighted to partner with the Dallas Mavericks and TEGNA to bring these games to our local viewers,” said Sandy Breland, chief operating officer of Gray Media. “Our Texas stations have long brought their communities local sports free over-the-air, and we’re proud to continue that tradition.”
“Nexstar is very excited to bring Dallas Mavericks basketball to viewers in three of its markets across Texas and Louisiana,” said Andrew Alford, president of Nexstar’s broadcasting division. “We’re looking forward to a great NBA season for the team, and for our viewers and local advertisers in Shreveport, Wichita Falls, and Brownsville.”
“We’re excited to extend the reach of Mavs basketball to fans in El Paso, furthering Sinclair’s commitment to providing local viewers with high-quality sports programming,” said Rob Weisbord, COO and president of local media, Sinclair.
