Media In Odessa, TX
Odessa has a small but vibrant local media landscape across print, television, and radio. As the largest city in West Texas with over 100,000 residents, Odessa serves as a hub for news and information across the Permian Basin region.
Print Media
The Odessa American is the main daily print newspaper covering local news, sports, business, and entertainment. Several other regional newspapers and magazines also serve the area.
Television Stations
The Odessa/Midland area is served by network TV affiliates for all major channels, as well as several other independent local stations. NewsWest 9 (KWES) is the main source for local news on TV.
Radio
Odessa has around 20 FM and AM radio stations spanning formats like country, talk radio, classic rock, Spanish language, oldies, sports, and contemporary hits. Popular stations include Mix 99.9, Hit 100.9, Lonestar 92.3, and La Nueva 101.7.
Print Media
Newspapers and magazines make up Odessa’s print media scene. While some publications have scaled back operations in recent years, print outlets remain vital sources of local news and cultural coverage.
The Odessa American
The Odessa American is the largest daily newspaper focused primarily on Odessa and the surrounding Permian Basin region.
Overview
- Founded in 1940, with a daily circulation of around 13,500
- Owned by the Hearst Corporation
- Local section includes coverage of news, sports, business, and entertainment
- Also includes national and international news from the Associated Press wire service
The paper has won several Texas Associated Press Managing Editors awards, including First Amendment recognition in 2021. Sections include news, opinion, sports, business, lifestyle, and classifieds. All content is also published on the Odessa American’s website.
Key Staff & Departments
As the largest newsroom covering Odessa, the Odessa American employs over 20 staff journalists, editors, and photographers.
Editors
- Scott Shamburger, Executive Editor
- Ruth Campbell, City Editor
- Other editors oversee photography, sports, features, business, etc.
Reporters
Reporters are assigned specific topics, including:
- City hall and county government
- Courts and legal news
- Business and economy
- Crime, safety, and emergency news
- Health and sciences
- Sports including high school athletics
Photographers
A team of photographers covers breaking news and produces creative shots for feature stories.
History & Recognition
Founded in 1940, the Odessa American has documented the city’s major events for over eight decades alongside oil booms and busts. The paper has earned dozens of esteemed journalism awards over the years from press associations.
Additional Circulation Papers
In addition to the daily paper, Hearst also publishes two free weekly community papers for Odessa:
- Odessa American West Texas Weekly: circulation around 19,500, distributed on Wednesdays
- Odessa American Weekender: circulation around 32,500, distributed on Fridays
These include ads, local stories, arts and culture listings, religion news, and classifieds tailored for different parts of Odessa.
Magazines & Specialty Publications
While newspaper readership has declined nationwide, magazine readership remains strong across digital platforms and print. Odessa is served by a handful of regional magazines as well as visitor and insider guides. Popular publications include:
West Texas Living
West Texas Living is a glossy bimonthly lifestyle magazine launched in 2009 covering culture across the 19 counties of the Permian Basin including Odessa. Articles spotlight regional food and drink, arts and entertainment, history, notable locals, events calendars, and more across the oil patch landscape.
Odessa Monthly
First published in 2021, Odessa Monthly is a vibrant city lifestyle publication covering arts, culture, entertainment, food and dining guides, and notable locals. As a newcomer, the magazine brings glossy photography and long form journalism focused exclusively on Odessa.
Visit Odessa Visitor Guide
Published annually by the Odessa Convention & Visitors Bureau, this comprehensive visitor guide showcases attractions, events, accommodations, dining, nightlife and more across Odessa and surrounding areas. Listings are accompanied by vivid photography and feature stories that capture the spirit of West Texas.
Television Media
From major network affiliates to beloved local stations, television remains an important medium for news, weather, and entertainment in Odessa.
Major Network Affiliates
The Odessa/Midland designated market area (DMA) includes a dozen counties across West Texas and Eastern New Mexico. Residents have access to all the major US television broadcast networks.
Odessa Network Affiliates
- NBC: KWES NewsWest 9
- ABC: KMID Big 2
- CBS: KOSA CBS 7
- FOX: KPEJ Fox 24
- The CW: KWWT MeTV 30
In addition to syndicated programming, each station airs local newscasts and community coverage focused on the Permian Basin area. Ownership groups include Gray Television, Nexstar Media Group, and Sinclair Broadcast Group.
Notable Local Stations
Beyond the major networks and affiliates, Odessa also enjoys some beloved local TV stations with signature shows that capture West Texas life:
Sportsradio 1450 KYYW & KWWT 30.1
This feisty AM sports talk station also operates channel 30.1 on television airwaves under the branding Sportsradio 1450. The TV channel airs replays and commentary shows related to local high school and college athletics across the Permian Basin as well as Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex teams.
Pickler’s Post
Airing Saturday late nights on KWWT MeTV at 30.2, Pickler’s Post is a talk show hosted by community character Sheb Pickler. Interviews with musicians, historians, artists, cooks and more celebrate the culture of the Permian Basin in this quirky but popular program.
Radio Media
With long distances between towns across West Texas, radio remains essential for music, talk, news, and public safety updates while driving or at home. Odessa is home to over 20 radio stations on the FM and AM dials.
Major Radio Station Owners
Most Odessa stations are owned and operated by two corporations – Gap Broadcasting and Alpine Broadcasting. Each company oversees multiple signals serving different listener formats.
Gap Broadcasting
Founded in 2009, Gap owns six top-rated contemporary music and classic hits stations clustered as the “Odessa Radio Group.”
Gap Broadcasting Odessa Stations:
- Mix 99.9 – KMMX (Hot adult contemporary)
- Hit 100.9 – KBAT (Top 40/pop)
- 101.9 The Bull – KNFM (Country)
- Oldies 92.3 – KFLB (Classic hits)
- La Tremenda 1150 AM – KQQF (Regional Mexican)
- 93.3 The Breeze – KDCZ (Soft adult contemporary)
Alpine Broadcasting
Alpine Broadcasting is a family-owned West Texas radio legacy spanning 60 years. They own cluster of news, talk, and sports stations entertaining and informing Odessans.
Alpine Broadcasting Odessa Stations:
- Newsradio 550 AM KIOD
- NewsTalk 710 AM KCRS
- Sportsradio 1450AM KYYW
- La Nueva 101.7 FM KMMZ (Latin/Tejano)
- Magic 106.1 FM KXTN (Oldies)
Notable Programs & Personalities
While many radio shows are nationally syndicated, Odessa stations have some beloved local voices.
The Morning After Show
This long running weekday talk show has aired 6 – 9 AM on Newsradio 550 KIOD for over a decade. Hosted by local personalities Mark and Emily Turner, the show mixes humor, interviews, song parodies, and classic bits focused on the Permian Basin community.
High School Sports on KYYW
Friday night high school football is a major tradition across Texas small towns. Sportsradio 1450 AM KYYW airs pre-game chatter, live game coverage, coaches interviews, and score updates from Permian Basin matchups all season long. They’ve covered the local sports scene this way for over 25 years.
Key Media Personalities
Beyond bylines and the voices behind the mic, Odessa has a few standout media personalities that have become trusted institutions.
Sheb Pickler
Affectionately known as “Mr. Odessa,” Sheb Pickler has worked in radio and TV around the Permian Basin since 1970. His Saturday night talk show Pickler’s Post spotlights the culture and characters of Odessa with an archive going back over 300 episodes.
Mark and Emily Turner
Married morning show duo Mark & Emily Turner have entertained Odessans on Newsradio 550
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Beverly Heights, TX (79762)
Bradford Estates, TX (79761)
Central Odessa, TX (79761)
Cherry Hill Manor, TX (79761)
Clifton Manor, TX (79761)
Commons at Briarwood, TX (79762)
Coronado Hills, TX (79761)
Country Club Estates, TX (79765)
Crestview Addition, TX (79761)
Crestview Manor, TX (79761)
Dublin Manor, TX (79761)
Dumas, TX (79760)
Emerald Springs, TX (79761)
Fairway Oaks, TX (79762)
Faudree Oaks, TX (79761)
Green Acres, TX (79761)
Greens of Odessa, TX (79765)
Hillcrest Addition, TX (79761)
La Promesa, TX (79761)
Livingston Manor, TX (79761)
Masterson, TX (79766)
Mission Dorado, TX (79761)
Mockingbird Lane Estates, TX (79762)
Oakwood Estates, TX (79761)
Oakwood Terrace, TX (79761)
Odessa Country Club Estates, TX (79761)
Painter Ranch Estates, TX (79763)
Parkview Heights, TX (79761)
Prairie Creek, TX (79762)
Rosemont Gardens, TX (79761)
Sherwood Estates, TX (79761)
Skyline Heights, TX (79762)
Southern Hills, TX (79761)
Spring Meadows, TX (79761)
Stonebridge Addition, TX (79761)
Stratford, TX (79762)
Sunray, TX (79764)
Trails End, TX (79761)
Vega, TX (79768)
West Odessa, TX (79763)
Whispering Winds Mobile Home Park, TX (79763)
Wildorado, TX (79769)
Woodhaven, TX (79763)
Woodson South, TX (79763)
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