These satellite operations provide additional news bureaus for KOB and sell advertising time to local sponsors.

[3] On January 28, 1953, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted the TV construction permit, which matched the radio station by adopting the call letters KSWS-TV.

[5] With the new transmitter facility, the effective radiated power was ramped up to 316 kW, the highest for a full-power VHF analog station; the antenna was 1,786 feet (544 m) above average terrain.

A newer tower was built by 1962; that same year, Barnett and KSWS-TV won more than $500,000 in damages in a jury trial against four insurance firms that had refused to pay out on their policies.

In 1956, KSWS-TV had received its first competitor when KAVE-TV channel 6 signed on in Carlsbad as the CBS affiliate for southeastern New Mexico; it became a regional station when the transmitter was moved to a 1,200-foot (370 m) tower near Artesia in the early 1960s.

Almost simultaneously with the debut of KBIM, KAVE was sold and became a satellite of ABC affiliate KMOM-TV in Monahans, Texas (now KWES-TV in Midland).

The potash mines near Carlsbad downscaled activity or closed, and the Walker Air Force Base at Roswell was deactivated in 1967.

[10] After Barnett's death, the station was sold to Lubbock, Texas, businessman Joe Bryant and his company, Caprock Broadcasting, for $490,000 (nearly half of that in KSWS-TV's indebtedness).

Two years later, Bryant died in 1970, and State Telecasting Company of Columbia, South Carolina, became the new owner of both KSWS and KCBD in 1971.

The system was very reliable, with good locations, sturdy towers, clear paths, and backup power (large lead acid batteries).

Collins Radio provided the equipment and the system was considered "network grade," meaning that it was comparable to AT&T hops of the day.

This group helped to lead the station to the top of the ratings in Roswell, culminating with the "news insert" format during the 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts.