In August 1996, Cox Broadcasting acquired KFOX-TV, and turned it into a major player in the El Paso television market by upgrading its syndicated programming inventory and developing a news department. On July 20, 2012, one day after Cox purchased four television stations in Jacksonville and Tulsa, Oklahoma, from Newport Television, Cox put KFOX-TV and sister stations in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Steubenville, Ohio, and Reno, Nevada (all in markets that are smaller than Tulsa), along with several of its radio stations in medium to small markets, up for sale.