KADN signed on the air in March of 1980 as the second independent television station in Louisiana, offering mainly movies, old sitcoms, children's programming, and local sports. Movie blocks ran throughout the day and were given titles such as "Cinema 15," "Nightowl Theater" and "Primetime Theater."

KADN was innovative in creating its own original programming, especially in the music genre. Shows such as "The Larry Brasso Show" (country music), "Cypress with Warren Storm" (swamp pop) and the long-running "Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler" (Cajun French music) were a Saturday mainstay during the station's early years. The latter produced so many episodes, that reruns aired weekday mornings under the title "Bon Temps Rouler Encore." A music video hour aired daily called "Acadiana Music Box" around the same time MTV was catching on.

KADN joined the Fox network upon its debut in 1986.

Today, KADN serves as a member of the Lafayette, LA-based ComCorp of Louisiana Inc. chain of TV stations.