KXLT-TV

Last updated

KXLT-TV
KXLT-TV Logo.png
Kxlt dt2 2011.png
City Rochester, Minnesota
Channels
Branding
  • Fox 47
  • MeTV 47.2 (on DT2)
Programming
Affiliations
Ownership
Owner
Operator Gray Television
KTTC, KXSH-LD
History
FoundedDecember 22, 1982
First air date
August 21, 1987(36 years ago) (1987-08-21) [1]
Former call signs
KXLT (1987–1989)
Former channel number(s)
  • Analog: 47 (UHF, 1987–2009)
  • Digital: 46 (UHF, 2004–2018)
(All as satellite of KXLI / KPXM:)
Independent (1987–1988)
Dark (1988–1990)
Star Television Network (1990–1991)
Independent / HSN (1991–1996)
inTV (1996–1998)
Call sign meaning
derived from former sister station KXLI in St. Cloud
Technical information [2]
Licensing authority
 FCC
Facility ID 35906
Class DT
ERP 108 kW
HAAT 343 m (1,125 ft)
Transmitter coordinates 43°38′34″N92°31′36″W / 43.64278°N 92.52667°W / 43.64278; -92.52667
Links
Public license information
Website myfox47.com

KXLT-TV (channel 47) is a television station licensed to Rochester, Minnesota, United States, serving as the Fox affiliate for Southeast Minnesota and Northern Iowa. It is owned by SagamoreHill Broadcasting alongside Telemundo affiliate KXSH-LD (channel 35); SagamoreHill maintains a shared services agreement (SSA) with Gray Television, owner of dual NBC/CW+ affiliate KTTC (channel 10), for the provision of certain services. The stations share studios in Rochester on Bandel Road Northwest along US 52, and also maintain an advertising sales office on Lakeview Drive in Clear Lake, Iowa, that serves Mason City. [3] KXLT-TV's transmitter is located in Grand Meadow Township, Minnesota.

Contents

History

KXLI satellite

KXLT signed-on for the first time on August 21, 1987, as a full-time satellite of St. Cloud–based independent outlet KXLI. It was the market's first independent station, as well as the area's first new commercial station in 33 years. Its programming consisted mostly of low-budget syndicated fare and cartoons, though for a time it also aired Minnesota North Stars hockey. However, it found the going difficult, not in the least because KMSP-TV and WFTC, two independent stations from Minneapolis–Saint Paul, were both already available on cable.

KXLI / KXLT were owned by Halcomm Inc. with its majority stockholder and president Dale W. Lang, [4] chairman of magazine publisher Lang Communications Inc. [5] Lang attempted with partners to create the "Minnesota Independent Network" (MIN) with 11 stations but never got past planning and initial work. [4]

Lang also made a $9.6 million loan to Halcomm. The station closed down in December 1988 with Lang calling the loan in 1989 taking possession of the stations. [4]

In 1989, Lang became the primary investor in a new television network, the Star Television Network, which featured 4 hours of infomercials and 8 hours of classic programming under the TV Heaven banner. [5] KXLT returned on September 29, 1990, again simulcasting KXLI programming as an owned and operated Star station, with both stations on the air 22 hours a day. [4] Following the closure of Star in January 1991, KXLI / KXLT implemented a schedule of infomercials, religious programming and the Home Shopping Network. [5]

As a KXLI satellite, KXLT operated at lower-than-licensed power due to KXLI's financial problems. KXLI and KXLT were sold to Paxson Communications in 1996 which converted both stations to an all-infomercial format under Paxson's "inTV" network. In 1997, Paxson decided to sell KXLT to raise money to launch the Pax network (today's Ion Television). Late that year, Shockley Communications purchased KXLT.

Fox affiliate

On January 19, 1998, Shockley relaunched the station as a Fox affiliate. Previously, cable systems on the Minnesota side of the market carried WFTC (and before it KMSP) while those on the Iowa side carried KDSM-TV from Des Moines. Shockley instantly invested in the station upgrading it to full power operations and moving to new studios in November of that year. On November 1, 1998, in partnership with The WB, KXLT established a cable-only affiliate of the network. Known by the faux calls "KWBR", the station was programmed by the national The WB 100+ service but local promotion and advertising sales were handled by KXLT. [6]

In 2001, Shockley Communications was bought by Quincy Newspapers, owner of KTTC. However, Quincy could not buy KXLT due to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules governing duopolies. The FCC does not allow two of the four highest-rated stations to be owned by one company. Additionally, Rochester/Austin/Mason City has only six full-power stations, not enough to legally permit a duopoly in any case. Nevertheless, Quincy took over KXLT's operations under a shared services agreement. As part of the arrangement, Quincy provides all technical support, promotions, commercial production, and master control for KXLT. Shockley would later sell the station to current owner SagamoreHill Broadcasting in 2005.

In September 2006, The WB and UPN merged to create The CW. KTTC subsequently established a new second digital subchannel to offer The CW through The CW Plus, a similar national programming service as The WB 100+. At that point, the "KWBR" operation was shut down. KXLT has been digital-only since February 17, 2009 [7] with it remaining on-air for a few more days airing "nightlight" service. KXLT's digital facility on channel 46 has been fully operational since 2004 until 2018 when the station relocated to channel 26 in the repack.

News operation

Through a news share agreement in place since 2001, KTTC produces a half-hour prime time newscast on KXLT seen Sunday through Friday nights. Known as Fox 47 News at Nine, the program originates from a secondary set at the Bandel Road Northwest studios. It features a unique graphics package and news music theme that is different from KTTC. KXLT uses most of the NBC outlet's on-air personnel but maintains separate news anchors who can report for KTTC.

At some point in 2009, CBS affiliate KIMT (channel 3) added the market's second prime time local news show at 9 to its MyNetworkTV-affiliated second digital subchannel. This newscast could be seen for thirty minutes competing with KXLT's broadcast. Eventually, the effort would be reduced to a five-minute weather cut-in featuring an updated forecast. On March 21, 2011, a day after KTTC performed an upgrade to high definition news production, KXLT completed the switch. With the change to HD came an updated set of graphics (still separate from the NBC station). On July 28, 2014, KXLT debuted a weekday morning show known as FOX in the Morning (that is produced by KTTC). Airing for thirty minutes at 8 a.m., the program is formatted with news, weather, local features and entertainment segments. FOX in the Morning is the area's only 8 a.m. newscast. Nicholas Quallich, anchor, Ted Schmidt, meteorologist, have been with the show since its summertime 2014 premiere. Tori Bokios, who joined channel 47 in January 2015, as of the summer of 2015, is the anchor of "FOX 47 News at 9 p.m." Amanda Hari is the newest member of the morning show, arriving in September 2015, replacing Bokios. In December 2016, Quallich left KXLT, leaving Hari & Schmidt to handle the morning news. Earlier in 2016, Chief Meteorologist Randy Brock left his post and went on to pursue a career in real estate. He said that part of his decision was to spend more time with his family.

On September 27, 2019, FOX in the Morning broadcast its last show, with anchor Jack Keenan and meteorologist Ted Schmidt. The 30 minute slot for the morning was used to expand Fox 47 News at Nine to a one-hour broadcast in January 2020, anchored by Maddy Wierus and Chief Meteorologist Nick Jansen.

The evening program on KXLT maintains separate anchors from KTTC (except for weather segments) and its own graphics scheme. [8] The NBC outlet also maintains an Austin Bureau, within the Riverland Community College campus, on 8th Avenue Northwest.

Subchannels

The station's signal is multiplexed:

Channel Video Aspect Short nameProgramming [9]
47.1 720p 16:9 KXLTFOXMain KXLT-TV programming / Fox
47.2 480i MeTV MeTV
47.3Laff Laff
47.4Mystery Ion Mystery
47.5Quest Quest
47.6Grit Grit

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quincy Media</span> American media company (1926–2021)

Quincy Media, Inc., formerly known as Quincy Newspapers, Inc., was a family-owned media company that originated in the newspapers of Quincy, Illinois. The company's history can be traced back to 1835, when the Bounty Land Register was one of four newspapers in Illinois. Over the next century, a number of mergers followed. The company moved into radio in 1947 and began television broadcasts in 1953.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KTTC</span> NBC/CW affiliate in Rochester, Minnesota

KTTC is a television station licensed to Rochester, Minnesota, United States, serving Southeast Minnesota and Northern Iowa as an affiliate of NBC and The CW Plus. It is owned by Gray Television, which provides certain services to Fox affiliate KXLT-TV and Telemundo affiliate KXSH-LD under a shared services agreement (SSA) with SagamoreHill Broadcasting. The stations share studios in Rochester on Bandel Road Northwest along US 52, and also maintain an advertising sales office on Lakeview Drive in Clear Lake, Iowa, that serves Mason City. KTTC's transmitter is located south of Ostrander, Minnesota, near the Fillmore–Mower county line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WQOW</span> ABC/CW affiliate in Eau Claire, Wisconsin

WQOW is a television station in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, United States, serving the Chippewa Valley as an affiliate of ABC. Owned by Allen Media Broadcasting, the station has studios on Friedeck Road in Eau Claire, and its transmitter is located in Altoona, Wisconsin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WXOW</span> ABC affiliate in La Crosse, Wisconsin

WXOW is a television station in La Crosse, Wisconsin, United States, affiliated with ABC and owned by Allen Media Broadcasting. The station's studios and transmitter are located on County Highway 25 in La Crescent, Minnesota.

WFTC is a television station licensed to Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, broadcasting the MyNetworkTV programming service to the Twin Cities area. It is owned and operated by Fox Television Stations alongside Fox outlet KMSP-TV. Both stations share studios on Viking Drive in Eden Prairie, while WFTC's transmitter is located in Shoreview, Minnesota.

KPXM-TV is a television station licensed to St. Cloud, Minnesota, United States, broadcasting the Ion Television network to the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area. The station is owned and operated by the Ion Media subsidiary of the E. W. Scripps Company, and maintains a sales office on 176th Street NW near Big Lake; its transmitter is located in Nowthen, Minnesota.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KIAH</span> CW TV station in Houston

KIAH is a television station in Houston, Texas, United States, serving as the local outlet for The CW Television Network. Owned and operated by network majority owner Nexstar Media Group, the station maintains studios adjacent to the Westpark Tollway on the southwest side of Houston, and its transmitter is located near Missouri City, in unincorporated Fort Bend County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WFOX-TV</span> Fox affiliate in Jacksonville, Florida

WFOX-TV is a television station in Jacksonville, Florida, United States, affiliated with Fox and Telemundo. It is owned by Cox Media Group, which provides certain services to CBS affiliate WJAX-TV under a joint sales agreement (JSA) with Hoffman Communications. The stations share studios on Central Parkway, while WFOX-TV's transmitter is located on Hogan Road, both in Jacksonville's Southside section.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WGEM-TV</span> NBC/CW/Fox affiliate in Quincy, Illinois

WGEM-TV is a television station licensed to Quincy, Illinois, United States, serving the Quincy, Illinois–Hannibal, Missouri–Keokuk, Iowa market as an affiliate of NBC, The CW Plus, and Fox. Owned by Gray Television, it is sister to the company's sole radio property, sports station WGEM-FM (105.1). Both stations share studios in the New Tremont Apartments on Hampshire Street in downtown Quincy. WGEM-TV's transmitter is located east of the city on Cannonball Road near I-172.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WBDT</span> CW TV station in Springfield, Ohio

WBDT is a television station licensed to Springfield, Ohio, United States, serving the Dayton area as a de facto owned-and-operated station of The CW. It is owned by Vaughan Media, which maintains a local marketing agreement (LMA) with Nexstar Media Group, owner of NBC affiliate WDTN and majority owner of The CW, for the provision of certain services. The two stations share studios on South Dixie Drive in Moraine. Through a channel sharing agreement, WBDT, along with Richmond, Indiana–licensed Ion Television O&O WKOI-TV, share WDTN's digital channel from WDTN's transmitter facility on Frytown Road in southwest Dayton.

WBUI is a television station licensed to Decatur, Illinois, United States, serving the Central Illinois region as an affiliate of The CW. It is owned by GOCOM Media, LLC, alongside Springfield-licensed Fox affiliate WRSP-TV, channel 55. GOCOM maintains joint sales and shared services agreements (JSA/SSA) with Sinclair Broadcast Group, owner of Springfield-licensed ABC affiliate WICS, channel 20, for the provision of certain services. WBUI, WRSP and WICS share studios on East Cook Street in Springfield's Eastside; WBUI maintains an advertising sales office on South Main Street/US 51 in downtown Decatur and transmitter facilities in Whitmore Township.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KDLH</span> CW affiliate in Duluth, Minnesota

KDLH is a television station in Duluth, Minnesota, United States, affiliated with The CW Plus. It is owned by Gray Television alongside Superior, Wisconsin–licensed dual NBC/CBS affiliate KBJR-TV, channel 6. The two stations share studios on South Lake Avenue in Canal Park, downtown Duluth; KDLH's transmitter is located west of downtown in Hilltop Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KBJR-TV</span> NBC/CBS/MyNetworkTV affiliate in Superior, Wisconsin–Duluth, Minnesota

KBJR-TV is a television station licensed to Superior, Wisconsin, United States, serving the Duluth, Minnesota, area as an affiliate of NBC and CBS. It is owned by Gray Television alongside CW+ affiliate KDLH. The two stations share studios on South Lake Avenue in Canal Park, downtown Duluth; KBJR-TV's transmitter is located west of downtown in Hilltop Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WPTA</span> ABC/NBC/MyNetworkTV affiliate in Fort Wayne, Indiana

WPTA is a television station in Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States, affiliated with ABC, NBC, and MyNetworkTV. It is owned by Gray Television alongside CW+ affiliate WISE-TV. The two stations share studios on Butler Road in Northwest Fort Wayne, where WPTA's transmitter is also located.

WISE-TV is a television station in Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States, affiliated with The CW Plus. It is owned by Gray Television alongside ABC/NBC/MyNetworkTV affiliate WPTA. The two stations share studios on Butler Road in Northwest Fort Wayne, where WISE-TV's transmitter is also located.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KWKT-TV</span> Fox affiliate in Waco, Texas

KWKT-TV is a television station in Waco, Texas, United States, serving as the Fox affiliate for Central Texas. It is owned by Nexstar Media Group alongside Bryan-licensed MyNetworkTV affiliate KYLE-TV. The two stations share studios on Woodway Drive in Woodway, Texas ; KWKT-TV's transmitter is located near Moody, Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WBMM</span> CW affiliate in Tuskegee, Alabama

WBMM is a television station licensed to Tuskegee, Alabama, United States, serving the Montgomery area as an affiliate of The CW Plus. It is owned by Bahakel Communications alongside Selma-licensed CBS affiliate WAKA ; Bahakel also provides certain services to ABC affiliate WNCF under a shared services agreement (SSA) with SagamoreHill Broadcasting. The three stations share studios on Harrison Road in north Montgomery; WBMM's transmitter is located in unincorporated southwestern Bullock County along the Pike County line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KARZ-TV</span> MyNetworkTV affiliate in Little Rock, Arkansas

KARZ-TV is a television station in Little Rock, Arkansas, United States, affiliated with MyNetworkTV. It is owned by Nexstar Media Group alongside NBC affiliate KARK-TV ; Nexstar also provides certain services to Fox affiliate KLRT-TV and Pine Bluff–licensed CW affiliate KASN under a local marketing agreement (LMA) with Mission Broadcasting. The four stations share studios at the Victory Building on West Capitol Avenue and South Victory Street in downtown Little Rock; KARZ-TV's transmitter is located at the Shinall Mountain antenna farm, near the city's Chenal Valley neighborhood.

The Star Television Network, was an attempt, though unsuccessful, at a fifth television network based in Orlando, Florida. The network was notable as the first television network to have featured exclusively direct response commercials and infomercials among standard programming.

KMNF-LD is a low-power television station in Mankato, Minnesota, United States, affiliated with NBC and The CW Plus. It is owned by Gray Television alongside dual CBS and Fox affiliate KEYC-TV. Both stations share studios on Lookout Drive in North Mankato, while KMNF-LD's transmitter is located near Lewisville, Minnesota.

References

  1. ↑ The Broadcasting and Cable Yearbook says August 1, while the Television and Cable Factbook says August 10.
  2. ↑ "Facility Technical Data for KXLT-TV". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  3. ↑ "KXLT - Tv Fox 47".
  4. 1 2 3 4 "KXLT-TV to return to the airwaves in Rochester in Sept". PostBulletin.com. July 28, 1990. Retrieved November 22, 2015. Lang and some partners previously tried to put together a Minnesota Independent Network with 11 stations strung from Rochester in the southeast to Bemidji in the north. However, that network never was organized.
  5. 1 2 3 Strother, Susan G. (January 17, 1991). "Tv Network Signs Off - Out Of Cash". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Shockley Communications Corporation - Television". www.sccweb.com. Archived from the original on December 5, 2000. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  7. ↑ TV's digital conversion begins in Rochester [ permanent dead link ], Post-Bulletin, Feb 17/2, 009
  8. ↑ http://m.postbulletin.com/life/lifestyles/new-fox-show-seeks-morning-viewers/article_26616350-9283-579b-aa6b-b3f31e39a7d9.html?mode=jqm [ dead link ]
  9. ↑ "RabbitEars.Info".
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.