The stations share studios on East Division Street in Springfield, while KOLR's transmitter is located on Switchgrass Road, north of Fordland.

It began broadcasting on March 15, 1953, as KTTS-TV, the television extension of KTTS radio, and has been Springfield's CBS affiliate since its inception.

[2]With no other applications to consider, the FCC granted a construction permit to Independent Broadcasting on October 9; ownership promised that KTTS-TV would be on air within six to eight months.

[3] The application was approved with such speed that The Spectator column in the Springfield News & Leader claimed KTTS was almost "caught with its video down", but plans quickly emerged.

This set off a pitched battle to bring television to southwest Missouri; according to local attorney Jon Hulston, both had hoped to start operations in time to air the 1952 World Series.

[7] All of its programs were filmed network shows until March 29, when news editor Don Meyer delivered the station's first local newscast.

[9] Shortly after going on the air, Independent Broadcasting announced it had purchased land on Division Street for a new building and 700-foot (210 m) tower to serve its television operation.

[11] Plans for the new facility progressed after the Chamber of Commerce Building was sold to the Guaranty Savings and Loan Company,[12] but work did not begin until May 1958,[13] and the new studio was occupied in 1959.

[21] Within three years, KYTV regained its customary commanding ratings lead at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m., though KOLR held a narrow lead at 5 p.m.[22] The Cooper family, founding owners of KTTS radio in 1940 and majority owners of Independent Broadcasting, opted not to transfer the station to the next generation of their family because of the tax burden involved.