Its signal is relayed through a network of five low-power translators across central and northern Arizona, including Class A station KAZT-CD in Phoenix.

KUSK debuted on September 5, 1982; it aired limited local programming but was primarily recognized in the market for classic TV series and a heavy sports schedule.

In 2024, Nexstar assumed operational control of KAZT under a time brokerage agreement with Londen and moved the CW affiliation from a subchannel of KNXV-TV.

William H. Sauro obtained a construction permit from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on January 7, 1980, for a new television station on channel 7 to serve Prescott.

The permit briefly carried the KNAZ call letters; during this time, Sauro sought a network affiliation for the new outlet and was ultimately denied by ABC, which felt it had adequate reach into Northern Arizona.

Sauro partnered with a cable TV consultant to propose a "Neighborhood Television" network of more than 140 low-power translators in major markets across the country to air KUSK's programming; this would have cost $15 to $20 million to build.

[7] The Neighborhood translators and program format for KUSK would have consisted of shows aimed at rural American audiences; Sauro described the theme as "the U.S., the greatest 'country' in the world".

[11] However, a wave of layoffs in 1985 saw the station discontinue the newscast and other local programming, which included Yavapai College basketball and Bradshaw Mountain High School football; in addition, KUSK ceased making commercials for other clients.

[16] Sauro obtained two further translators, K55EH from Shaw Butte and K17BU on Usery Mountain, and signed them on in early 1988, creating a "synthetic full-power station" with the ability to target advertising to smaller sections of the Phoenix metropolitan area.

[17] In 1990, K27AN ceased airing KUSK's non-sports programming and broadcasting the Home Shopping Network (HSN), which Sauro claimed was due to viewer demand.

Sauro triggered the reorganization filing in order to end 18 months of litigation among the firm's shareholders, in spite of what he called the station's best year ever financially.

[30] Money problems, however, forced delays in the launch of Azteca América and scuttled most of the network's planned purchases and affiliate switches.

[31] On November 30, 2001, KUSK reached an agreement to sell the station to the Londen family, owners of the Illinois-based Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance Company.

[35] In addition, KAZT began airing The Best of Wallace and Ladmo, a compilation of highlights from the long-running local children's show that McMahon co-hosted.

[48] On January 8, 2024, it was announced that KAZT-TV would become the new Phoenix-area affiliate for The CW, effective February 1, 2024, as part of a time brokerage deal with the network's majority owner, Nexstar Media Group.

[55] The station's signal is multiplexed: On October 13, 2008, KAZT-DT and KAZT-CA launched their first additional subchannel, featuring the Retro Television Network (RTV).