We're moving! FOX 4 to build new studio in Irving
DALLAS - It’s official. We’re moving!
KDFW-TV and KDFI-TV, Dallas-Fort Worth’s FOX-owned and operated duopoly and North Texas’ most watched local television station, will construct a new television studio and state-of-the-art content creation center in Irving-Las Colinas.
MORE: KDFW Station History
The new studio located at 2203 Royal Lane represents FOX Television’s significant reinvestment into the North Texas region.
"We are pleased to relocate to Irving in what will be a grade-A complex, and we thank Mayor Stopfer and the Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce for making this possible," said Jeff Gurley, Senior Vice President and General Manager of KDFW and KDFI. "Building this state-of-the-art facility positions FOX 4 for the future by creating a space that inspires creativity, equipped with technology that supports innovative news, programming, and content creation as well as further engagement with our community via television, social media/digital platforms, and prepares us for future advancements in our ever-changing industry."
The two-story, 50,000-square-foot facility will include modern studios, a redesigned newsroom, outdoor gathering areas, sales offices, and more.
It will broadcast via fiber using no tower or antennas and minimal satellite dishes.
"I commend FOX Corporation and FOX Television Stations for their investment in our city. KDFW is a valuable institution in our region, and we are thrilled to have the station here," said Irving Mayor Rick Stopfer. "This project once again demonstrates Irving’s winning formula. Through the Irving Economic Development Partnership, we work collaboratively with partners to bring economic development projects like this to our city with a speed-to-market approach and access to a workforce that businesses demand."
FOX 4 adding more live local newscasts
The new shows include a full hour of news at 4 p.m. and a 30-minute newscast at 6:30 p.m.
"Bringing KDFW home to Irving-Las Colinas is a significant ‘win’ for our community," said Beth A. Bowman, IOM, CCE, president and CEO of the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce and the Irving Economic Development Partnership. "Developments like today’s announcement truly demonstrate Irving-Las Colinas’ ability to meet the unique needs of each of our key target industries."
For the past 75 years, FOX 4's home has been in the heart of Downtown Dallas. But the general manager said the future landscape of the station is changing.
"It's bittersweet. Our facility, our location in Downtown Dallas has been really really good to us. But when that station was built the Metroplex was not what it is now. Now, it's one big community, one big market. So this puts us in a much better place to serve that market," Gurley said.
All 170 current station staff will relocate from the current Downtown Dallas facility to Irving.
The groundbreaking for the new station is set for later this year.
Construction is expected to take about two years.