On June 15, 2000, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted an original construction permit to founding owner Sage Broadcasting Company to build a full-power television station to serve the Abilene–Sweetwater–Brownwood market. The station was built quickly, with an estimated launch date set for September or October 2000, but inclement weather caused delays in constructing the transmitter tower. Several months later than expected, the station first signed on the air on January 9, 2001, under Program Test Authority; it was the fourth full-power television station to sign on in the Abilene market and the first full-power network-affiliated station to sign on in the market since CBS affiliate KTAB (channel 32) debuted in October 1979. KXVA has been a Fox station since its debut, taking over the affiliation from KIDZ-LP (channel 42), which (along with its five translator stations) were also owned by Sage Broadcasting. The station obtained its initial broadcast license on February 13, 2002, more than a year after applying for the license to the FCC.