NBC Montana
Encyclopedia
NBC Montana is a network of three television station
s in western Montana
, all affiliated with NBC
.
The flagship station is KECI in Missoula
, broadcasting on channel 13. It includes two semi-satellites: KCFW, channel 9 in Kalispell, Montana
, and KTVM, channel 6 in Butte, Montana
(which also serves Bozeman
via a translator on channel 42. This is reflected in its "KTVM 6 & 42" branding). The stations air the same programming most of the time, but KCFW and KTVM air their own commercials as well as partially-separate local newscasts.
The combined signal of the three VHF stations and numerous low-power transmitters cover approximately 45 percent of the state. The stations reach an estimated 200,000 households. The coverage area includes Salmon, Idaho
, and parts of Alberta
, Canada
near the U.S.-Canada border.
The digital signals of all full-powered NBC Montana stations moved to their analog VHF channels after the 2009 US analog shutdown
due to severe local terrain problems with its existing UHF DTV signal in mountainous regions.
. It shared a studio with its radio sister on West Main Street in downtown Missoula. For a few years in the late 1950s and early 1960s it was known as KMSO-TV, but reverted to KGVO-TV in 1964.
Originally, the station carried programming from all three networks, but was a primary CBS affiliate owing to its radio sister's long affiliation with CBS radio. It was the first television station in Montana to be interconnected to the main networks (via a private relay from Spokane). While it was known as KMSO-TV, it was a member of the Skyline Network (now MTN
), along with KXLF-TV
in Butte, KOOK-TV in Billings (now KTVQ
), and KFBB-TV
in Great Falls.
Then in March 1966, shortly after KFBB-TV switched over to ABC
, the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) combined Missoula and Butte into a single television market, and KGVO-TV became the combined market's primary CBS affiliate, with a secondary ABC affiliation. However, by the early 1970s, Missoula and Butte had broken off into separate markets again, and channel 13 was a primary NBC affiliate, sharing ABC with KPAX-TV
. The switch may have occurred as early as KPAX' sign-on in 1970.
Channel 13 took its current calls in 1978 after KGVO radio was sold off, but is still based in the West Main Street studio. The station offered a few PBS
programs, particularly Sesame Street
, from 1976 until Montana PBS
opened in 1984. It also continued to run ABC in off-hours until KTMF
signed on in 1991.
KCFW signed on in 1968 as a semi-satellite of KGVO-TV. It is the only full-power station in the Flathead
. KTVM was added in 1970, also as a semi-satellite of KGVO-TV. The Bozeman repeater signed on in 1990.
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Television station
A television station is a business, organisation or other such as an amateur television operator that transmits content over terrestrial television. A television transmission can be by analog television signals or, more recently, by digital television. Broadcast television systems standards are...
s in western Montana
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
, all affiliated with NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
.
The flagship station is KECI in Missoula
Missoula, Montana
Missoula is a city located in western Montana and is the county seat of Missoula County. The 2010 Census put the population of Missoula at 66,788 and the population of Missoula County at 109,299. Missoula is the principal city of the Missoula Metropolitan Area...
, broadcasting on channel 13. It includes two semi-satellites: KCFW, channel 9 in Kalispell, Montana
Kalispell, Montana
Kalispell is a city in and the county seat of Flathead County, Montana, United States. The 2010 census put Kalispell's population at 19,927 up 5,704 over 2000. At 40.1% this is the largest percentage of growth of any incorporated city in Montana. Kalispell is the largest city and commercial center...
, and KTVM, channel 6 in Butte, Montana
Butte, Montana
Butte is a city in Montana and the county seat of Silver Bow County, United States. In 1977, the city and county governments consolidated to form the sole entity of Butte-Silver Bow. As of the 2010 census, Butte's population was 34,200...
(which also serves Bozeman
Bozeman, Montana
Bozeman is a city in and the county seat of Gallatin County, Montana, United States, in the southwestern part of the state. The 2010 census put Bozeman's population at 37,280 making it the fourth largest city in the state. It is the principal city of the Bozeman micropolitan area, which consists...
via a translator on channel 42. This is reflected in its "KTVM 6 & 42" branding). The stations air the same programming most of the time, but KCFW and KTVM air their own commercials as well as partially-separate local newscasts.
The combined signal of the three VHF stations and numerous low-power transmitters cover approximately 45 percent of the state. The stations reach an estimated 200,000 households. The coverage area includes Salmon, Idaho
Salmon, Idaho
Salmon is a city in Lemhi County, Idaho, United States. The population was 3,122 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Lemhi County...
, and parts of Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
near the U.S.-Canada border.
The digital signals of all full-powered NBC Montana stations moved to their analog VHF channels after the 2009 US analog shutdown
DTV transition in the United States
The DTV transition in the United States was the switchover from analog to exclusively digital broadcasting of free over-the-air television programming...
due to severe local terrain problems with its existing UHF DTV signal in mountainous regions.
History
KECI hit the airwaves on July 1, 1954 as KGVO-TV, owned by Montana broadcasting pioneer Arthur Mosby and his Western Broadcasting Company along with KGVO radioKGVO
KGVO is a radio station licensed to serve Missoula, Montana. The station is owned by Townsquare Media. It airs a News radio format....
. It shared a studio with its radio sister on West Main Street in downtown Missoula. For a few years in the late 1950s and early 1960s it was known as KMSO-TV, but reverted to KGVO-TV in 1964.
Originally, the station carried programming from all three networks, but was a primary CBS affiliate owing to its radio sister's long affiliation with CBS radio. It was the first television station in Montana to be interconnected to the main networks (via a private relay from Spokane). While it was known as KMSO-TV, it was a member of the Skyline Network (now MTN
Montana Television Network
The Montana Television Network is a network of CBS affiliates in Montana, all but one owned by the Evening Post Publishing Company.MTN was founded by Montana broadcasting pioneer Joseph S. "Joe" Sample. He signed on KOOK-TV in Billings, Montana's second television station, in 1953. He bought...
), along with KXLF-TV
KXLF-TV
KXLF-TV is a television station in Butte, Montana, broadcasting locally as a CBS affiliate on digital channel 4-1 . Various programs from CBS are broadcast in high definition at 1080i. Programming from The CW is broadcast on digital channel 4-2 in standard definition.The station operates a...
in Butte, KOOK-TV in Billings (now KTVQ
KTVQ
KTVQ is the CBS TV affiliate in Billings, Montana, USA. It broadcasts on channel 2 and is owned by the Evening Post Publishing Company...
), and KFBB-TV
KFBB-TV
KFBB-TV is a full-service television station in Great Falls, Montana, broadcasting locally on digital VHF channel 8 as an affiliate of ABC. Founded March 21, 1954, the station is owned by Max Media. KFBB-TV also operates a semi-satellite for the Helena area, KHBB-LD channel 21...
in Great Falls.
Then in March 1966, shortly after KFBB-TV switched over to ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
, the Federal Communications Commission
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
(FCC) combined Missoula and Butte into a single television market, and KGVO-TV became the combined market's primary CBS affiliate, with a secondary ABC affiliation. However, by the early 1970s, Missoula and Butte had broken off into separate markets again, and channel 13 was a primary NBC affiliate, sharing ABC with KPAX-TV
KPAX-TV
KPAX-TV is a television station in Missoula, Montana, broadcasting locally on channel 8 as an affiliate of CBS, with programming from The CW on digital. The station is owned by Evening Post Publishing Company. The station is part of the Evening Post's Montana Television Network, a network of...
. The switch may have occurred as early as KPAX' sign-on in 1970.
Channel 13 took its current calls in 1978 after KGVO radio was sold off, but is still based in the West Main Street studio. The station offered a few PBS
Public Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
programs, particularly Sesame Street
Sesame Street
Sesame Street has undergone significant changes in its history. According to writer Michael Davis, by the mid-1970s the show had become "an American institution". The cast and crew expanded during this time, including the hiring of women in the crew and additional minorities in the cast. The...
, from 1976 until Montana PBS
KUSM
Montana PBS is the Public Broadcasting Service member Public television state network for Montana. It is a joint venture between Montana State University and the University of Montana-Missoula...
opened in 1984. It also continued to run ABC in off-hours until KTMF
KTMF
KTMF is a full-service television station in Missoula, Montana, broadcasting locally in digital on UHF channel 23 as an affiliate of ABC. Founded April 12, 1989, the station is owned by Max Media of Montana...
signed on in 1991.
KCFW signed on in 1968 as a semi-satellite of KGVO-TV. It is the only full-power station in the Flathead
The Flathead
The Flathead, sometimes called Northwestern Montana, is a region of the U.S. state of Montana. It includes Flathead County, and part of Lake County. Notable towns include Bigfork, Kalispell, Polson, and Whitefish. The geography of the Flathead roughly corresponds to the valley where Flathead Lake...
. KTVM was added in 1970, also as a semi-satellite of KGVO-TV. The Bozeman repeater signed on in 1990.
Digital channels
| Programming | KECI | KCFW | KTVM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main NBC Montana programming / NBC | 13.1 | 9.1 | 6.1 |
| Me-TV | 13.2 | 9.2 | 6.2 |
| This TV | 13.3 | 9.3 | 6.3 |
Repeaters
- BoulderBoulder, MontanaBoulder is a town in and the county seat of Jefferson County, Montana, United States. It is on the north bank of the Boulder River between Butte and Helena, slightly east of the Continental Divide, at the intersection of Interstate 15 and Montana Highway 69. The population was 1,300 at...
— K13KP-D (digital) - BozemanBozeman, MontanaBozeman is a city in and the county seat of Gallatin County, Montana, United States, in the southwestern part of the state. The 2010 census put Bozeman's population at 37,280 making it the fourth largest city in the state. It is the principal city of the Bozeman micropolitan area, which consists...
— K42BZ - BozemanBozeman, MontanaBozeman is a city in and the county seat of Gallatin County, Montana, United States, in the southwestern part of the state. The 2010 census put Bozeman's population at 37,280 making it the fourth largest city in the state. It is the principal city of the Bozeman micropolitan area, which consists...
— K34FI-D (digital) - DillonDillon, Montana- Notable residents :* Ed Barker - NFL wide receiver - Washington Redskins* Cree Paul - [Where is she now?]* Charles Xavier Larrabee - owner of the nearby stock ranch Brooknook.* Lloyd Meeds - Politician, lobbyist, and navy officer....
— K51DW - EurekaEureka, MontanaEureka is a town in Lincoln County, Montana, United States. The population was 1,017 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Eureka is located at , approximately from Kalispell....
— K02AO - Ferndale — K24ID-D (digital)
- FrenchtownFrenchtown, MontanaFrenchtown is a census-designated place in Missoula County, Montana, United States. It is part of the 'Missoula, Montana Metropolitan Statistical Area'. The population was 883 at the 2000 census...
— K14IU-D (digital) - Gallatin River — K09LP
- Grasshopper Valley — K09MY
- Hot SpringsHot Springs, MontanaHot Springs is a town on the Flathead Indian Reservation in Sanders County, Montana, United States. The population was 531 at the 2000 census. Founded in 1910, it was incorporated in 1929.-Geography:Hot Springs is located at ....
— K05AH-D (digital) - Lake Mcdonald — K05FC
- LibbyLibby, MontanaLibby is a city in and the county seat of Lincoln County, Montana, United States. The population was 2,626 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Libby is located at , along U.S. Route 2....
— K60EA - LivingstonLivingston, Montana-Geography:Livingston is located at , at an altitude of 4.501 feet .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which, of it is land and 0.38% is waters.-Climate:-Demographics:...
— K63BV - PlainsPlains, MontanaPlains is a town in Sanders County, Montana, United States. The population was 1,126 at the 2000 census. It was originally founded as Horse Plains. The name was later shortened to Plains when the US Postal Service established a presence in 1905.-Geography:...
— K11JP-D (digital) - PolsonPolson, MontanaPolson is a city in Lake County, Montana, United States, on the southern shore of Flathead Lake. It is also on the Flathead Indian Reservation. The population was 4,041 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Lake County...
— K16GJ-D (digital) - PonyPony, MontanaPony is an unincorporated community in northeastern Madison County, Montana, United States on the eastern edge of the Tobacco Root Mountains.In the late nineteenth century, Pony was a prosperous gold-mining community with at least 5,000 residents. A number of historic buildings from Pony's boom era...
— K10HZ - Seeley LakeSeeley Lake, MontanaSeeley Lake is a census-designated place in Missoula County, Montana, United States. It is part of the 'Missoula, Montana Metropolitan Statistical Area'...
— K02OL - St. RegisSt. Regis, MontanaSt. Regis is a census-designated place in Mineral County, Montana, United States. The population was 315 at the 2000 census.-Geography:St...
— K05DS - SuperiorSuperior, MontanaSuperior is a town in and the county seat of Mineral County, Montana, United States. The population was 893 at the 2000 census. Superior was named after its founders' hometown of Superior, Wisconsin in 1869...
— K03DT - Three ForksThree Forks, MontanaThree Forks is a city in Gallatin County, Montana, United States and is located within the watershed valley system of both the Missouri and Mississippi rivers drainage basins — and is historically considered the birthplace or start of the Missouri River. The population was 1,728 at the 2000 census...
— K35DJ - Watkins — K09KH
- White Sulphur SpringsWhite Sulphur Springs, MontanaWhite Sulphur Springs is a city in and the county seat of Meagher County, Montana, United States. The population was 984 at the 2000 census.The center of population of Montana is located in White Sulphur Springs.-Geography:...
— K07NU
On-air staff
- Steve Fetveit
- Heidi Meili
- Monte Turner
- Brooke Foster
- Kayla Anderson (KECI)
- Jessica Debbas (KTVM)
- Mike Mestas (KTVM)
- Stephanie Barish (KTVM)
- Maritsa Georgiou (KCFW)
- Hasalyn Harris
- Christian Hauser (KECI)
- Jessica Headley (KCFW)
- Will Wadley (KCFW)
- Mark Heyka
- Annamarie Iannetta
- Matt Leach
- Kevin Maki
- Adam Painter
- Patrice Parks
- Shaun Rainey
- Landon Stolar (KTVM)
Former staff
- Meg OliverMeg OliverMegan Elisabeth Oliver is a reporter for ABC News. In March 2006, she became anchor of the overnight CBS newscast, Up to the Minute and remained in that position for three years....
: anchor of Up to the MinuteUp to the MinuteUp to the Minute is a CBS overnight broadcast which offers hard news, features, interviews, weather, sports, business and commentary. Up to the Minute draws from the full resources of CBS News, including the CBS Evening News, Newspath, affiliate stations, the CBS Radio Network and Reuters Television...
, worked as a reporter and anchor at KCFW. - Jeff Friedman
- Julie Rogers (KCFW)
- Andrew Capasso: Butte Reporter, then WTAJ in PennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaThe Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, now reporter in Baton Rouge, LA. - Jennifer Huntley: later at WWL-TVWWL-TVWWL-TV, virtual channel 4, is the CBS-affiliated television station serving New Orleans, Louisiana, southeast Louisiana and parts of southern and coastal Mississippi, and is the primary CBS station for South and Coastal Mississippi. It broadcasts on UHF digital channel 36...
; now External Relations Coordinator at Washington State Department of Personnel - Duane Shimogawa: KCFW reporter, now reporter at KHNLKHNLKHNL is the NBC-affiliated television station for the state of Hawaii that is licensed to Honolulu. The station broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 35 from a transmitter in Palehua...
in Honolulu. - Curt Smith: Former Production manager through the 1980s and 1990s KCFW. Now owns and operates Illusion Video in KCFW territories.
- Erik Hedlund: Reporter for KECI. Currently work for Kootenai County Police Department.
- Nick LaFave: Reporter in Missoula, later anchor in Bozeman. Now main anchor at KTAL-TVKTAL-TVKTAL-TV, virtual channel 6, is the NBC television affiliate serving the Shreveport, Louisiana/Texarkana, Arkansas-Texas market. It is licensed to the Texas side of Texarkana and is the only station in its market licensed outside of Louisiana. Its main studio is located in Shreveport with a...
in Shreveport, LA. - Chris Nettleton: Former Sports Director in Missoula.
- Troy Oppie: Former Sports Director in Missoula. Now Sports Anchor and Reporter at KBOI-TV in Boise, ID.
- Dax VanFossen: Former Anchor/ Producer/ Reporter for KCFW. Currently works for KPAX-TVKPAX-TVKPAX-TV is a television station in Missoula, Montana, broadcasting locally on channel 8 as an affiliate of CBS, with programming from The CW on digital. The station is owned by Evening Post Publishing Company. The station is part of the Evening Post's Montana Television Network, a network of...
and KOFI-Radio in Kalispell, MT as anchor/ reporter. - Lee Stoll: Former Anchor/Reporter for KCFW. Previously worked for KREM 2 in Spokane, WA as a reporter/fill in anchor. Currently North Sound Bureau Chief and North Sound Reporter for KIRO-TVKIRO-TVKIRO-TV, virtual channel 7, is the CBS affiliate television station in Seattle, Washington. It broadcasts on digital channel 39. The station's offices and broadcasting center are located near Seattle Center in Belltown, and its transmitter is located on Queen Anne Hill...
in Seattle, WA. - Laura Papetti: Former Reporter for KCFW. Currently morning anchor for KREM 2 in Spokane, WA. Wife of Gonzaga BulldogsGonzaga BulldogsThe Gonzaga Bulldogs are the athletic teams at Gonzaga University; the term applies to any of the school's varsity teams. Gonzaga University is a member of the West Coast Conference, which participates in the NCAA Division I...
TV announcer Greg Heister. - Kendra Eaglin: Former Reporter for KTVM. Currently a Multi-Media Journalist for WKBW-TVWKBW-TVWKBW-TV, channel 7, is the ABC affiliate for the Buffalo, New York television market, and is one of many local Buffalo TV stations seen over-the-air and on cable in Canada. Its transmitter is located at 8909 Center Street in Colden. The station is owned by the Granite Broadcasting Corporation, who...
in Buffalo, NY. - Jane Watrel: Anchor/Reporter for KECI. Currently reporter for NBC News4 Washington, DC
- Dari Nowkhah: Former Sports Director for KCFW. Currently anchor for ESPNESPNEntertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
SportsCenterSportsCenterSportsCenter is a daily sports news television show, and the flagship program of American cable network ESPN since the network launched on September 7, 1979. Originally broadcast only daily, SportsCenter is now shown up to twelve times a day, replaying the day's scores and highlights from major...
. - Christin Ayers: Former Reporter/Producer for KECI. Currently reporter for KPIX-TVKPIX-TVKPIX-TV is the CBS owned and operated television station in San Francisco, California. Through its parent company CBS Corporation, KPIX is co-owned with The CW affiliate KBCW-TV ....
in San Francisco, CaliforniaSan Francisco, CaliforniaSan Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
. - Jackie Bartz- Now at KTUU-TVKTUU-TVKTUU-TV is an NBC affiliated television station serving Anchorage, Alaska. The station is owned by Schurz Communications of South Bend, Indiana....
in Anchorage, AlaskaAnchorage, AlaskaAnchorage is a unified home rule municipality in the southcentral part of the U.S. state of Alaska. It is the northernmost major city in the United States...
. - Kendra Eaglin- Now a reporter for WKBWWKBWWKBW is a set of call sign which has been used on two broadcast stations in Buffalo, New York:*WKBW-TV, Channel 7*WKBW Radio AM 1520, Now WWKB...
in Buffalo, New YorkBuffalo, New YorkBuffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
. - Chelsea Rabideau- Now Reporter at KULR-TVKULR-TVKULR-TV is an NBC affiliate broadcasting on channel 11 in Billings, Montana. KULR is currently owned by Max Media.KULR's programming and schedule is also seen on KYUS-TV in Miles City, Montana; that station is owned and operated by the Marks Radio Group, who also owns several radio stations in...
in Billings, MT. - Darnay Tripp - Currently Sports Anchor at WMAZ in Macon, GA.
- Ryan Coleman - Former Reporter for KECI. Currently weekend weather anchor at KPAXKPAX-TVKPAX-TV is a television station in Missoula, Montana, broadcasting locally on channel 8 as an affiliate of CBS, with programming from The CW on digital. The station is owned by Evening Post Publishing Company. The station is part of the Evening Post's Montana Television Network, a network of...
in Missoula, MT. - Justin Sacher - Former Reporter/Weather Anchor for KECI. Currently meteorologist at KGPE in Fresno, CA.
- Jake Zivin - Former Regional Sports Director at NBC Montana. Currently sports anchor at KEZI-TV in Eugene, OR.
- John Keyes - Former Montana Today Meteorologist. Now works at the National Weather Service in Pocatello, ID.
- Jonathan Athens - Former Reporter for KTVM. Currently reporter for KPTM-TV in Omaha, NE
- Zach Borg- Former Weekend Sports Anchor for NBC Montana. Currently sports reporter/photographer for WHO-TVWHO-TVWHO-DT is a television station that broadcasts on Channel 13 in Des Moines, Iowa. It is affiliated with the NBC television network and serves most of central Iowa. The station transmits from the WOI Tower in Alleman, Iowa, which is actually owned by WHO-DT's owners. WHO-DT brands itself as WHO-HD...
in Des Moines, IA
Newscast titles
- NewsCenter
- NewsCenter Network ( -1997)
- NBC Montana News (1997-2002)
- The NewsChannel (2002-present)
Station slogans
- The News Leader (2002-2004)
- Local, Live, Latebreaking (2004-2006)
- Earning Your Trust, Everyday (2006-present)
External links
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