Station History

What Began as a dream in the early 1990's is now a successful means of reaching a wide audience throughout Southwest Arkansas

KJEP and KSJA television stations reach thousands of people each week, in towns from Prescott to Mena.  Programs include church services, community and school events, gospel music and contemporary Christian videos.  The stations also provide severe weather bulletins and other emergency information to their viewers.

Television broadcasting in Nashville Arkansas began with one station, then identified as KNVL, which broadcast only on the city's cable system.  On Dec. 15, 1995, at 10:13a.m., separate programming began as KJEP and KEWW took to the airwaves.

Each station had its own 1,000-watt transmitter.  The unique arrangement is now  housed in a broadcast facility on Highway 27N.  The location was made possible by Ruth and Johnny Wilson of Nashville.  The station's 40-foot antennas rests on a 350-foot Alltel cellular phone tower.

In January 2001 KEWW's call letters were changed to KSJA and the power of both stations have now been increased to 2000-watts each.

Anyone with a television is able to receive KSJA and KJEP. You don't have to be on cable to pick up the two stations.  Both stations may be received with a simple, inexpensive UHF or VHF/UHF television antenna.  The signal has been picked up as far away as Mena.   Individuals who experience difficulty in receiving the broadcasts should call (870)845-5685 for possible help or suggestions.

One or both of the stations are also available on 14 cable systems, including Fulton, McNab, Tollette, Satatoga, Mineral Springs, Blevins, McCaskill, Center Point, Lockesburg, Dierks, Delight, Anthoine, Murfreesboro and Nashville.

The two stations broadcast network programs in addition to local events.   Networks include FamilyNet, Trinity Broadcasting Network, Praise Network, and the Worship Net.  KJEP and KSJA are on the air 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Programming guides are occasionally published in the Nashville News and are also available by contacting the station.  The Nashville News, KBHC1260am, KNAS 105.5fm, KMTB 99.5fm and our special events page also provide information about special events to be shown on the two stations.

We invite area schools to contact us about preparing programs for broadcasting throughout the area.  Several have already purchased equipment, and students frequently submit tapes of school activities.

From a dream in the minds of a few individuals to a broadcasting organization involving some 30 volunteers, KJEP and KSJA operate to serve the people of Southwest Arkansas.  Questions and comments are welcome.  Write to the following address:

KJEP/KSJA
PO Box 1020
Nashville Arkansas
71852-1020

or E-mail us at kjeptv@cswnet.com

As a final note on history, we would also like to remember those we have lost that meant so much in helping get our station established.

Click for larger picture

 
Jimmy E. Power passed away shortly before the stations went on the air. This is where we get the name KJEP.  Jimmy served countless hours for the station, (then KNVL) performing much of the technical work and helping film editions of Civic Pride and other programs. He also helped to train countless volunteers. He certainly helped us get to where we are today.