KLDO signed on in December 1984 as an ABC affiliate owned by Panorama Broadcasting, making Laredo one of the last markets with full network service. However, the station found the going difficult. Laredo was just barely large enough for three television stations, and its close proximity to the Mexican border limited its potential audience. Prior to the launch of KLDO, KGNS-TV aired some of ABC's network programs as a secondary affiliate. In addition, the network's affiliates in markets adjacent to Laredo (KIII in Corpus Christi and KSAT-TV in San Antonio) became available on cable systems in the Laredo market a few years prior to the station's sign-on.