Midland, Texas Media

Overview of Midland Media

Midland, Texas is a city of around 140,000 people located in West Texas. It sits at the center of the Permian Basin, one of the largest oil producing regions in the United States. As the regional economic center, Midland is home to a variety of media outlets serving local residents as well as the wider Permian Basin area.

Midland’s media landscape includes:

  • Print media such as local newspapers and magazines
  • Television stations
  • Radio stations
  • Online news and information websites

This local guide will provide an overview of the major media outlets in Midland across print, television, radio, and online formats. It will look at their history, operations, and role in the Midland community.

Print Media in Midland

Midland has one major daily local newspaper along with a few other smaller print publications.

Midland Reporter-Telegram

The Midland Reporter-Telegram is the main daily newspaper serving Midland and the Permian Basin region.

History

The Midland Reporter-Telegram has a long history tracing back over 100 years. The Reporter began publishing in 1914 as an afternoon paper while The Midland Telegram began in 1908 as a weekly paper. Over the years the two papers merged into the current Midland Reporter-Telegram which publishes mornings seven days a week.

The paper has had various owners over its history including MediaNews Group and Hearst Communications. Its current parent company is Clarity Media Group.

Operations

The Midland Reporter-Telegram focuses its coverage on local news, business, sports, and events in Midland and the wider Permian Basin. It has a circulation around 25,000 copies across eight counties in West Texas.

The paper has around 100 employees working across departments like advertising, circulation, production, and of course editorial. The newsroom has reporters and photographers covering government, education, health, public safety, business, and other local beats.

Other Print Publications

In addition to the daily Midland Reporter-Telegram newspaper, Midland has a handful of other print focused media outlets mostly publish weekly or monthly including:

  • Midland Magazine – Monthly lifestyle publication
  • The Basin Buzz – Weekly entertainment and event focused newspaper
  • The MRT Business Insider – Monthly business magazine
  • Texas Back Roads – Quarterly magazine covering West Texas
  • La Voz – Spanish language monthly

These provide more specialized content for Midland area residents around specific topics like entertainment, business, and the Latino community. Most focus exclusively on Midland and Permian Basin coverage instead of statewide or national news.

Television Stations in Midland

Midland receives television signals from a variety of regional network affiliates based out of Midland/Odessa as well as neighboring cities.

KWES-TV Channel 9 (NBC)

KWES-TV channel 9 is the NBC affiliate television station based in Midland and Odessa. It transmits on virtual channel 9 and is owned by Gray Television.

KWES broadcasts local, regional and NBC network programming to the Midland, Odessa and Permian Basin television market area. This includes a weekday morning newscast called “WesTex Today” and nightly 6:00 pm and 10:00 pm newscasts focused specifically on local news and weather.

KMID Channel 2 (ABC)

The KMID television station, virtual channel 2, is the regional ABC network affiliate broadcasting from studios in Midland. KMID is owned by Nexstar Media Group and its broadcast license also covers Odessa.

In addition to ABC shows, KMID provides some dedicated Permian Basin focused broadcasts like the weekday morning news program, “Basin This Morning,” as well as nightly 6 pm and 10 pm local Midland/Odessa/Permian Basin news telecasts.

KOSA-TV Channel 7 (CBS)

Based in Odessa and broadcasting on virtual channel 7, KOSA-TV brings CBS network programming to the Permian Basin area. The station is owned and operated by Gray Television.

KOSA offers a weekday morning show specifically highlighting Permian Basin news called “CBS 7 News This Morning” as well as CBS 7 News at 6 pm and 10 pm every night with a focus on local and regional stories.

Other Midland/Odessa Stations

Some other channels broadcasting from Midland or Odessa facilities that provide programming to Midland households include:

  • KPEJ Fox 24 (Midland) – Fox affiliate
  • KWWT MeTV 30 (Odessa) – Classic TV network
  • KUPB Univision 18 (Midland) – Spanish language station

Midland viewers can also access other nearby major market stations broadcasting from Abilene, San Angelo and other Texas cities. Local cable and satellite systems carry most of these regional channels.

Radio Stations in Midland

Over 15 radio stations broadcast from Midland on both AM and FM bands providing music, talk radio, sports, news, and specialty formats to listeners in the Permian Basin region.

News/Talk Radio

A few AM radio stations in Midland focus primarily on news, politics and talk radio programming:

  • KCSS 1310AM
  • KFZX 1580AM
  • KMRK 96.1FM

These talk radio outlets offer nationally syndicated hosts as well as local shows discussing Permian Basin issues. They provide radio listeners news, weather information and political commentary.

Music & Entertainment Radio

Many popular music and entertainment radio stations broadcast from Midland on the FM radio dial including:

Country Music
  • KNFM 92.3FM
  • KQRX 95.1FM
Classic Rock
  • KZBT 93.3FM
  • KPTX 98.3FM
Contemporary & Alternative Rock
  • KBTS 94.3FM
  • KBAT 99.9FM
Spanish Language
  • KGGTx 103.9FM
  • KBZU 106.3FM

These stations offer a mix of music programming with some short news and weather updates as well as advertising mainly targeted towards Permian Basin businesses.

Public & College Radio

Midland also has a few non-commercial public radio stations including the local NPR affiliate KTTZ 89.1FM from Texas Tech University Broadcasting and a Christian music station called The Crossing KTFX 101.7FM.

Online News in Midland

In addition to traditional print and broadcast media, Midland residents can access news and information online through:

News Organization Websites

The Midland Reporter Telegram newspaper and local television stations like KWES 9 and KMID 2 all have websites (MRT.com, Newswest9.com. etc.) where they publish stories both from broadcasts as well as web only content.

Blogs

A few independent local blogs like PermianBasin365.com and MidlandTexas.blogspot.com help fill any gaps in news coverage and highlight unique stories and events.

Social Media

Regional news outlets like the Odessa American newspaper and Permian Basin radio stations have Facebook and Twitter accounts updating followers throughout the day. Midland government agencies also utilize social platforms to communicate with citizens.

Aggregators

Sites and apps like Patch and Nextdoor aggregate relevant headlines, posts, classified ads, events and other community information in one place specifically for Midland neighborhoods and the Permian Basin region.

This mix of both traditional and digital media provides Midland, TX residents comprehensive coverage of news, information, entertainment, music and more at both the neighborhood and regional levels.

Key Figures in Midland Media Industry

A few notable individuals have led media organizations in Midland over the past several decades helping shape coverage and inform residents:

Print Media Figures

Doug Conaway – Midland Reporter Telegram

Doug Conaway spent 23 years as the publisher of the Midland Reporter Telegram newspaper starting from the late 1980s through 2010. He led the paper through major changes as information moved from print to digital formats.

Steve Wade – Midland Magazine

Steve Wade founded Midland Magazine in 1997 growing it from an initial run of 5,000 copies to over 15,000 monthly. The lifestyle publication highlights arts, culture, businesses and noteworthy residents in the Permian Basin area.

Radio Industry Veterans

Harold Jenkins – KFZX Radio

Harold Jenkins served as General Manager and on-air talk host for conservative talk radio station KFZX 1580AM for over 50 years making him an influential voice across the Permian Basin and Midland political landscape.

Bill Craigo – Craigo Broadcasting Partners

Bill Craigo formed Craigo Broadcasting Partners which operated over 13 radio stations in Midland, Odessa and San Angelo markets from the 1960s through the 2000s before selling to Waller Media Holdings.

Robin Estrada – Tejano 106.3FM

Robin Estrada ledKBZT Tejano 106 radio for over 25 years offering Spanish language programming including regional Mexican music, talk shows, news, weather and sports updates for Midland area Hispanic listeners.

Newspaper Publishers

Clarity Media Group

Clarity Media Group serves as the parent company for the major daily newspaper in Midland — the Midland Reporter-Telegram. Clarity is headquartered locally and owns a few other small regional print publications across Texas.

The Permian Basin Magazine Inc

This company publishes Midland Magazine, Basin Buzz, Basin Oil & Gas Magazine and other print periodicals from their downtown Midland office.

Television Station Owners

Gray Television

Gray Television owns and operates both the KWES NBC affiliate and the KOSA CBS affiliate locally out of their broadcast facility studios in Midland.

Nexstar Media Group

The Nexstar Media Group owns KMID Channel 2 which serves as the regional ABC affiliate for the Permian Basin area broadcasting news and network shows from Midland across West Texas.

Radio Broadcasters

R Communications

R Communications is one of the major radio conglomerates in Midland owning and operating over 7 local stations including variety of music, news and talk formats under brands like La Kalle, La Tremenda and The Outlaw.

Bravo Mic Communications

With studios in East Midland, Bravo Mic broadcasts 4 stations to the Permian Basin focused primarily on regional Mexican and Tejano music as well as local Spanish language news and talk programs.

Some other national media companies like Townsquare Media, Alpha Media and American Media Investments own and operate multiple radio stations in Midland as well. Between local West Texas focused media corporations and large national radio broadcasters and television station owners, residents enjoy a wide array media options.

Media Job Opportunities in Midland, TX

Given its role as an economic hub, Midland offers opportunities for media professionals across print, online, television, and radio:

Newspaper

The daily Midland Reporter-Telegram hires journalists, photographers, sales people and a variety of operational roles from editors to delivery drivers to IT to keep the paper running around the clock.

Tech

Local outlets like news websites, TV stations and radio broadcasters need programmers and developers to maintain digital platforms and online operations.

Advertising & Marketing

Media sales jobs help sell airtime, print ads and more to Permian Basin businesses looking to reach the local Midland and West Texas audience. Creative marketing positions develop those campaigns.

Broadcast & Production

On air personalities, producers, camera operators and other media production roles create local television and radio shows highlighting Permian Basin news, music, entertainment and events.

While larger nearby cities like San Angelo or Odessa offer additional opportunities, mid-size Midland has a thriving demand for media professionals across all platforms given the central role it plays in the Permian Basin. The oil boom also continues fueling local journalism and advertising as the metro grows.

Influential Local Media Figures

Beyond leading the business operations of Midland media outlets, some prominent journalists, radio hosts, publishers and editors have shaped coverage of Permian Basin issues and discussions for decades through their reporting and community engagement:

Print Journalists

Mella McEwen – Oil and energy reporter for Midland Reporter-Telegram since 2005 after covering state politics in Austin. Award winning journalist documenting the Permian Basin oil boom.

Stewart Doreen – Managing editor for the Midland Reporter-Telegram. Regular editorial contributor on civic and political issues.

Bob Campbell – Sports writer and columnist for the MRT since the 1970s covering local high school and college athletics.

Broadcast Reporters

Erin Robins – KWES News anchor and investigative journalist focused on public corruption, health and social services in the Permian Basin.

Travis Lively – Senior meteorologist for both KMID Channel 2 and KPEJ Fox 24 local weather forecasts keeping Midland residents informed during West Texas storms.

Radio Hosts

Craig Anderson – Conservative morning talk show host on KFZX 1580AM discussing oil industry news, politics and Permian Basin culture wars.

Robin Estrada – Longtime Spanish language radio host on KBZT Tejano 106 radio covering news and issues important to local Hispanic community.

Rick May – Sports radio host on KMRK 96.1FM former coach turned lively commentator on all Midland and Odessa area high school and college athletics.

These and many more talented Midland based journalists, editors, producers, publishers and talk hosts work hard keeping their friends, families and neighbors across the Permian Basin informed, entertained and connected through their reporting efforts each day.

Notable News Stories & Events Covered

Over the past decades, Midland media has comprehensively covered major stories unfolding in the Permian Basin region:

Oil Booms & Busts

As the epicenter of the Permian Basin oil fields, journalism in Midland constantly covers the rollercoaster ride of booms, busts and innovations in the petroleum industry from the Santa Rita No. 1 digging to recent shale fracking. Stories track laid off roughnecks to overnight millionaire landmen and everything in between.

Politics & Government

Media outlets analyze how the economy impacts state funding for roads as well as covering granular issues like local elections for city council or regional water planning boards given Midland’s role as the political hub for West Texas.

Education & Social Issues

School board battles over curriculum and teacher pay have received substantial coverage. Reporters also shed light on how population booms strain hospitals, affordable housing, non-profit services and other social safety net issues.

Crime, Courts & Public Safety

While Midland enjoys low crime rates, outlets still report on periodic incidents with balanced coverage across print, online, radio and television platforms. Award winning journalists also produce regular investigative stories uncovering local corruption.

Arts & Culture

Food critics highlight upcoming restaurants. Outdoor magazines cover national parks. Radio stations promote concerts and community events. Midland media showcases all elements of Permian Basin life across diverse formats.

Through these major headline stories as well as day-to-day reporting on business, sports, entertainment and human interest stories, Midland residents stay connected to community happenings while media provides oversight and accountability of public and private sector leaders shaping the region.

Media Developments and Future Outlook

Recent years have seen some evolution in Midland’s media offerings:

Newspaper Consolidation

After over 100 combined years in business, the Reporter and Telegram merged into one daily publication as print advertising declined industrywide. Specialty magazines and weekly entertainment papers have filled gaps.

New Digital Competition

Established outlets now compete with blogs, social media news and other online information providers. Traditional organizations reacted by improving their websites, mobile apps and adding talent for data analysis.

Rise of Streaming Entertainment

Broadcast television fights audience fragmentation as cord-cutting shifts viewers to Netflix, Hulu and other streaming entertainment bypassing local stations.

Radio Consolidation

Corporate consolidation and debt has led to downsizing among some radio conglomerates. Locally-owned radio groups and niche formats like Spanish language or conservative talk radio thrive serving Permian Basin listeners abandoned by national chains.

Yet as Midland continues rapid growth thanks to oil and gas, so does demand for trusted news and community information. Local media remains well-positioned to serve both the city and broader region across West Texas for years to come – however residents eventually choose to access it.

Whether via newspaper, over the airwaves, online or through new innovations yet to emerge, Midland media organizations inform, advocate and provide oversight as the community evolves. Just as oil anchors the Permian Basin economy, trusted journalism anchors its democracy.

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Directions

  • Start out going south on N Big Spring St toward W Wadley Ave. Then turn right onto W Wadley Ave. Continue on W Wadley Ave for approximately half a mile then use the left 2 lanes to turn left onto Midkiff Rd. In about a mile, turn right onto Country Club Dr. 2207 Country Club Dr will be on the right in roughly 0.1 miles.
  • Head south on Garfield St toward W Dengar Ave. Turn left onto W Dengar Ave. Then turn right onto Midkiff Rd and continue for approximately 2 miles. Take a slight right onto Country Club Dr. 2207 Country Club Dr is on the right just past Dawn Cir.
  • Begin on Rankin Hwy heading west. In about 2.5 miles, at the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Midkiff Rd. Drive north on Midkiff Rd for 1.5 miles then turn left onto Country Club Dr. 2207 Country Club Dr is 0.1 miles down on the right, just past the crest of a small hill.