KMSP-TV
Encyclopedia
KMSP-TV, channel 9, is the Fox
-owned-and-operated
television station serving the Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota
designated market area, owned in a duopoly with MyNetworkTV
affiliate WFTC
(channel 29). Its studios are located in Eden Prairie, Minnesota
, and its transmitter is located in Shoreview, Minnesota
.
KMSP is a more news-based Fox station with 48.5 hours a week of locally-produced newscasts, as well as first-run prime time, late-night and sports programming from Fox. It also runs off-network sitcoms, talk shows, reality shows and court shows.
The KMSP-WFTC duopoly is a union shop, with all technicians and photographers being required to join the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Local 292.
), with which it was co-owned until mid-1956. After the FCC opened up bidding for the channel 9 license, WLOL and WDGY also expressed interest. However, they withdrew their applications at the last minute, assuring that the new station would go to KEYD and its owner, Family Broadcasting. KEYD-TV began broadcasting on January 9, 1955 http://www.slphistory.org/history/tv.asp and was affiliated with the DuMont Television Network
. Harry Reasoner
was the station's first anchor and news director. DuMont shut down in late 1955, leaving the station as an independent outlet. When Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
purchased a minority (25 percent) but controlling stake in the station in 1956, the news department was shut down and Reasoner was hired by CBS. Reasoner became an anchor for CBS's 60 Minutes
when it debuted in 1968.
The station changed its calls to KMGM-TV in 1956, to go along with its new minority owner. National Telefilm Associates
, which later purchased WNTA
in New York, purchased 75 percent of the station not owned by MGM in 1957. A year later, NTA bought MGM's stake and changed channel 9's calls to the current KMSP-TV. KMSP was sold to United Television (at the time 20th Century Fox
's broadcasting division) the following year.
During its early years until 1972, the station's studios and offices were located in a lower level of the Foshay Tower
in downtown Minneapolis; the transmitter was located on top of the tower, the tallest structure in the area until 1971, along with channels 4 and 11. The transmitter was moved in 1971 to a new tower constructed by KMSP in Shoreview, MN, while the studios and offices relocated in 1972 to Edina on York Avenue South, across from Southdale Shopping Center. The station moved once more, in 1992, to its current location on Viking Drive in Eden Prairie.
network affiliation from WTCN-TV (channel 11, now KARE
). Throughout its years with ABC, KMSP was notorious for having a sub-standard news department with large staff turnover. Ratings were dismal with KMSP obtaining only one-third of the viewing audience of each of their two competitors, CBS
affiliate WCCO-TV
(channel 4) and NBC
affiliate KSTP-TV
(channel 5).
In the late 1970s ABC steadily rose to first place in the network ratings. Accordingly, the network sought to upgrade its affiliate list, which was made up of some stations that either had poor signals or poorly-performing local programming. In early 1977, ABC warned KMSP that it would yank its affiliation unless improvements were made and fast. Ratings improved by 1977 when ABC went from being the last-place network to being the first. To cash in, KMSP re-branded itself "ABC9" (approximately 20 years before U.S. stations began the network name in their branding en masse), and retooled its newscast. KMSP's news department was still a distant third behind WCCO-TV and KSTP-TV. That same year Chris-Craft Industries
purchased a minority stake in United Television's parent 20th Century Fox.
would be a good lead-out from their 10:00 PM news, despite low prime time ratings. However, NBC, miffed at losing one of its strongest affiliates, and not wanting to pick up ABC's rejects, turned down KMSP's offer almost immediately and signed an affiliation agreement with independent WTCN.
As a result of being rejected by both ABC and NBC, KMSP prepared to become an independent station. It would also be freed up from investing as heavily in their meager news department. Most of the on-air and off-air staffers resigned, not wanting to work for a down-scaled independent operation.
The affiliate switch occurred on March 5, 1979, and KMSP debuted its new independent schedule featuring cartoons, syndicated shows and even the locally-based American Wrestling Association
, with much of it coming from WTCN-TV. It re-branded itself as "Receptive Channel 9", and became quite aggressive in programming, obtaining broadcast rights to several state high school sports championships (MSHSL), the NHL
's Minnesota North Stars
and the Minnesota Twins
baseball team. The stripped-down evening newscast was moved to 9:30 p.m., then by 1981 to 9 p.m. and expanded to one hour.
As it turned out, KMSP's transition into an independent station turned out to be a blessing in disguise. It was far more successful than it ever had been as an ABC affiliate. It became a regional superstation
, available on nearly every cable system in Minnesota as well as large portions of North Dakota
, South Dakota
, Iowa
, and Wisconsin
. Over time, it became one of the most successful and profitable independent stations in the country.
In 1981, KMSP went through another ownership change when United Television became partly owned by BHC Communications
as the result of Chris Craft Industries' swap of its stake (then at 20 percent) in 20th Century Fox for a 19 percent stake in United Television. Two years later, Chris-Craft Industries gained majority control of United Television.
network. However, Fox only aired programming two days a week, so for all intents and purposes KMSP was still an independent. This suited channel 9, as it wanted the prestige of being a network affiliate without being tied down to a network schedule. For all intents and purposes, it was the Fox affiliate for all of Minnesota. However, it did not remain a Fox affiliate for long. By 1988, KMSP was one of several Fox affiliates nationwide disappointed with the network's weak programming offerings, particularly on Saturday nights, which were bogging down KMSP's otherwise successful independent lineup. It started preempting and time-shifting network shows, much to Fox's irritation. After an ultimatum by the network to run the full schedule in pattern, Fox named KITN (channel 29, now WFTC) as its new Twin Cities affiliate, and KMSP returned to full independent status.
Along with the other United Television stations, KMSP became afiliated with the Prime Time Entertainment Network
from 1993 to 1995.
(which soon became part of media conglomerate Viacom
) to create the United Paramount Network (UPN). Channel 9 became a UPN owned and operated station on January 16, 1995, the day the network commenced operations with the two-hour pilot episode of Star Trek: Voyager
.
KMSP became one of UPN's most successful affiliates. In addition, it was still enjoying success with local sports programming featuring the Minnesota Twins, as well as the MSHSL championships.
in 2001 (this brought KMSP, along with sister stations KMOL-TV
in San Antonio and KTVX in Salt Lake City, back under common ownership with 20th Century Fox). An affiliation swap was expected after KMSP's affiliation contract with UPN ran out. Besides Fox's presumed preference to have its programming on a station it already owned, KMSP's signal was much stronger than that of WFTC. Also, WFTC didn't have a news department. The move was made easier when Fox bought WFTC from Clear Channel
shortly after in July 2001 (it swapped KTVX in Salt Lake City and KMOL, now WOAI-TV in San Antonio, for WFTC).
On September 8, 2002, KMSP and WFTC swapped network affiliations. This move (accompanied by a "Make the Switch" ad campaign on both stations) made KMSP a Fox station once again. At that time, KMSP took all Fox programming, including the Fox Box (which later went back to WFTC as 4KidsTV until its December 2008 discontinuation). The affiliation swap coincided with the start of the 2002
NFL
season; KMSP became the primary station for the Minnesota Vikings
as Fox owns the broadcast rights
to the National Football Conference
(which the Vikings are in).
Of all the former Chris-Craft stations Fox retained, KMSP was the only one not to retain its UPN affiliation. KMSP is one of three network-owned stations in the Twin Cities alongside sister WFTC and CBS
-owned WCCO
. Since most media market
s have Fox affiliates and the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC)'s SyndEx
market regulations normally require cable systems
to only carry the local affiliate of any given network, KMSP was eventually removed from most cable
lineups in northern and western Minnesota
, North Dakota
, South Dakota
, Iowa
and Wisconsin
and lost its "regional superstation" status it held as an independent station and UPN affiliate. Due to the advent of digital television
, many stations in smaller markets previously served by KMSP launched digital subchannel
s affiliated with UPN
to replace UPN's programming in those markets.
Fox proceeded to invest heavily in KMSP, creating the station's strongest news operation ever (it even briefly produced a newscast for sister station WFTC). In addition, Fox soon become a full-fledged competitor with NBC, ABC and CBS with a number of hit shows and an aggressive cable news operation. The late night edition of Fox 9 News today often draws better ratings than the newscasts on KSTP-TV, which obtained the ABC affiliation from KMSP thirty years earlier.
" about convertible
s produced by GM
in its entirety. The narrator, Medialink
publicist Andrew Schmertz, was introduced as reporter André Schmertz. KMSP did not disclose the corporate source of this segment to their viewers. On March 24, 2011, KMSP was levied a $4,000 fine by the Federal Communications Commission
for airing the video news release without disclosing its origin, following complaints in 2006 and 2007 filed by the Free Press
and The Center for Media and Democracy.
Digital channels>
Channel
Programming
9.1
KMSP-TV programming / Fox HD
9.2
WFTC programming / MyNetworkTV
SD
KMSP-DT was originally on 26, through the use of PSIP, digital television receivers display its virtual channel
as 9. As part of the analog television shutdown and digital conversion was completed, KMSP-TV shut down its analog transmitter on June 12, 2009, and moved its digital broadcasts back to channel 9.
In November 2009 the station moved the standard definition feed of WFTC to KMSP-DT2 to allow viewers to choose which of the FTSG signals works best for their reception needs.
The station has had a long-running 9 p.m. newscast (now known as Fox at 9), which airs an hour before all other news broadcasts in the area. The two primary news anchors are Jeff Passolt and Robyne Robinson, who are the longest current anchor team in the Twin Cities
at 14 years, according to the station. This changed when Robinson announced on May 11, 2010 that she would leave KMSP after 20 years at the station.
KMSP, along with KDFW
in Dallas
-Fort Worth, and KSAZ-TV
in Phoenix
are the only Fox-owned stations to have a 10 p.m. newscast in the Central and Mountain Time Zones (of the mentioned stations, KMSP and KDFW do not run their 10 p.m. newscast nightly and KMSP is the only one that airs their 10 p.m. newscast on during the weekend, airing it on Sunday nights. However, KSAZ in Phoenix runs a 10pm newscast seven nights per week.). Sister stations WTVT
in Tampa
-St. Petersburg
and WTTG
in Washington, D.C.
have a late newscast at the Eastern time zone equivalent of 11 p.m.
On September 24, 2007, sister station WJBK
in Detroit, Michigan
became the third Fox O&O in the Eastern time zone to add an 11 p.m. newscast. This was when WJBK
joined KMSP as being one out of several Fox O&Os to go with the FNC-look (new set, new rotating logo, etc.). Fox may have all the O&Os add an 11 p.m. newscast should this become a success. This may mean more of the Fox O&Os in the Central and Mountain Time Zones could add a 10 p.m. newscast as well (KTBC
in Austin
had a 10 p.m. newscast for years after switching to Fox, which has since been scaled back to 9 p.m.).
Conversely, KMSP is also one of a few Fox O&Os without a midday newscast (along with WFXT
in Boston
and WOFL
in Orlando
) and one of five Fox O&Os with a 5 p.m. newscast, but no 6 p.m. newscast (along with KTBC in Austin
, WHBQ
in Memphis
, KRIV in Houston
and WFXT
in Boston
.
On May 11, 2009, KMSP became the second station to launch local news in high definition. The first was KARE
in 2006. The set and music remains the same. The only new thing are the new Fox O&O HD graphics with some minor tweaks and HD weather graphics. On September 14, 2009 KMSP expanded its morning newscast to five and a half hours from 4:30-10 a.m. (one of several Fox-owned stations to do so, following the cancellation of The Morning Show with Mike & Juliet), with the 9 a.m. hour being called Fox 9 Buzz.
and reporters. The newscasts have been nationally honored with the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award for Best Newscast and Spot News Coverage, in addition to Investigative Reporting, and Videography.
In September 2011, KMSP won another 12 Emmys including Station Excellence, Daytime Newscast, Evening Newscast, and more. Sister station WFTC
also picked up two more for commercials.
In October 2008, KMSP won another 17 Emmys, along with four Emmys for its sister station WFTC
. Among this years Emmys were wins for ads for myfoxhockey.com, foxhilitestwincities.com, "Stay Connected with Fox 9", and best online marketing initiative for Family Guy Photos at the Fair. Sister station WFTC
won multiple Emmys for Twins on My29 Pinball Promos, and its generic composite ads.
In October 2007, KMSP won 17 Emmys, along with one Emmy for its sister station WFTC
. Among the Emmys were wins for Best Website, Several Investigative Reports, along with several Emmys for Advertisements such as the "Wake Up With Fox 9" and the "Jeff & Robyne" spots. For a complete list visit National Television Academy Upper Midwest Chapter.
Fox 9 Weather First
Sports team
Reporters
. KMSP owns the tower, which stands 1466 feet (446.8 m) tall, but shares it with sister station WFTC
and the Twin Cities Public Television
stations, KTCA and KTCI. Several FM stations are also on the tower: KQRS-FM, KXXR
("93X"), KTCZ
("Cities 97"), KTIS-FM
, KSJN
, KTLK-FM
, KDWB
, KEEY
("K102"), WLTE
, and KZJK
.
KMSP has an extensive network of broadcast translators to carry its analog signal throughout much of the state.
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Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
-owned-and-operated
Owned-and-operated television stations in the United States
In the United States, owned-and-operated television stations constitute only a portion of their parent television networks, due to an ownership limit imposed by the Federal Communications Commission...
television station serving the Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
designated market area, owned in a duopoly with MyNetworkTV
MyNetworkTV
MyNetworkTV is a television broadcast syndication service in the United States, owned by the Fox Entertainment Group, a division of News Corporation...
affiliate WFTC
WFTC
WFTC, channel 29, is a MyNetworkTV owned and operated television station licensed to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and serving the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area...
(channel 29). Its studios are located in Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Eden Prairie, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 54,901 people, 20,457 households, and 14,579 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 21,026 housing units at an average density of 649.2 per square mile...
, and its transmitter is located in Shoreview, Minnesota
Shoreview, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there are 25,377 people, Males: 12,303 , Females: 13,074 , 9,965 households, and 7,021 families residing in the city. The population density is 2,315.9 people per square mile . There are 10,127 housing units at an average density of 919.2 per square mile...
.
KMSP is a more news-based Fox station with 48.5 hours a week of locally-produced newscasts, as well as first-run prime time, late-night and sports programming from Fox. It also runs off-network sitcoms, talk shows, reality shows and court shows.
The KMSP-WFTC duopoly is a union shop, with all technicians and photographers being required to join the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers is a labor union which represents workers in the electrical industry in the United States, Canada, Panama and several Caribbean island nations; particularly electricians, or Inside Wiremen, in the construction industry and linemen and other...
Local 292.
Early history
The station grew out of an AM station, KEYD (AM 1440, now KDIZKDIZ
KDIZ is a radio station serving the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. It is owned by The Walt Disney Company, and airs the Radio Disney radio network.-History:...
), with which it was co-owned until mid-1956. After the FCC opened up bidding for the channel 9 license, WLOL and WDGY also expressed interest. However, they withdrew their applications at the last minute, assuring that the new station would go to KEYD and its owner, Family Broadcasting. KEYD-TV began broadcasting on January 9, 1955 http://www.slphistory.org/history/tv.asp and was affiliated with the DuMont Television Network
DuMont Television Network
The DuMont Television Network, also known as the DuMont Network, DuMont, Du Mont, or Dumont was one of the world's pioneer commercial television networks, rivalling NBC for the distinction of being first overall. It began operation in the United States in 1946. It was owned by DuMont...
. Harry Reasoner
Harry Reasoner
Harry Truman Reasoner was an American journalist for ABC and CBS News, known for his inventive use of language as a television commentator, and as a founder of the 60 Minutes program.-Biography:...
was the station's first anchor and news director. DuMont shut down in late 1955, leaving the station as an independent outlet. When Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. is an American media company, involved primarily in the production and distribution of films and television programs. MGM was founded in 1924 when the entertainment entrepreneur Marcus Loew gained control of Metro Pictures, Goldwyn Pictures Corporation and Louis B. Mayer...
purchased a minority (25 percent) but controlling stake in the station in 1956, the news department was shut down and Reasoner was hired by CBS. Reasoner became an anchor for CBS's 60 Minutes
60 Minutes
60 Minutes is an American television news magazine, which has run on CBS since 1968. The program was created by producer Don Hewitt who set it apart by using a unique style of reporter-centered investigation....
when it debuted in 1968.
The station changed its calls to KMGM-TV in 1956, to go along with its new minority owner. National Telefilm Associates
National Telefilm Associates
National Telefilm Associates was an independent distribution company that handled reissues of American film libraries, including much of Paramount Pictures' animated and short-subjects library.-History:...
, which later purchased WNTA
WNET
WNET, channel 13 is a non-commercial educational public television station licensed to Newark, New Jersey. With its signal covering the New York metropolitan area, WNET is a primary station of the Public Broadcasting Service and a primary provider of PBS programming...
in New York, purchased 75 percent of the station not owned by MGM in 1957. A year later, NTA bought MGM's stake and changed channel 9's calls to the current KMSP-TV. KMSP was sold to United Television (at the time 20th Century Fox
20th Century Fox
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation — also known as 20th Century Fox, or simply 20th or Fox — is one of the six major American film studios...
's broadcasting division) the following year.
During its early years until 1972, the station's studios and offices were located in a lower level of the Foshay Tower
Foshay Tower
The Foshay Tower, now the W Minneapolis – The Foshay hotel, is a skyscraper in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Modeled after the Washington Monument, the building was completed in 1929, months before the stock market crash in October of that year. It has 32 floors and stands high, plus an antenna mast...
in downtown Minneapolis; the transmitter was located on top of the tower, the tallest structure in the area until 1971, along with channels 4 and 11. The transmitter was moved in 1971 to a new tower constructed by KMSP in Shoreview, MN, while the studios and offices relocated in 1972 to Edina on York Avenue South, across from Southdale Shopping Center. The station moved once more, in 1992, to its current location on Viking Drive in Eden Prairie.
As an ABC affiliate
In 1961, KMSP took over the ABCAmerican 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...
network affiliation from WTCN-TV (channel 11, now KARE
KARE
KARE, digital channel 11, is an NBC-affiliated television station licensed to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and serving the Minneapolis-St. Paul area of Minnesota and portions of western Wisconsin. It also operates KARE WX NOW, formerly known as NBC Weather Plus on its second digital subchannel...
). Throughout its years with ABC, KMSP was notorious for having a sub-standard news department with large staff turnover. Ratings were dismal with KMSP obtaining only one-third of the viewing audience of each of their two competitors, CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
affiliate WCCO-TV
WCCO-TV
WCCO-TV, is the CBS owned and operated television station that serves the Minneapolis-St. Paul area of Minnesota. Its transmitter is at the Telefarm complex in Shoreview, Minnesota.- History :...
(channel 4) and 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...
affiliate KSTP-TV
KSTP-TV
KSTP-TV, channel 5, is the ABC affiliate for the Twin Cities. Its transmitter is located at the Shoreview Telefarm. It is the flagship station of Hubbard Broadcasting, which also owns several other broadcasting properties across the United States....
(channel 5).
In the late 1970s ABC steadily rose to first place in the network ratings. Accordingly, the network sought to upgrade its affiliate list, which was made up of some stations that either had poor signals or poorly-performing local programming. In early 1977, ABC warned KMSP that it would yank its affiliation unless improvements were made and fast. Ratings improved by 1977 when ABC went from being the last-place network to being the first. To cash in, KMSP re-branded itself "ABC9" (approximately 20 years before U.S. stations began the network name in their branding en masse), and retooled its newscast. KMSP's news department was still a distant third behind WCCO-TV and KSTP-TV. That same year Chris-Craft Industries
Chris-Craft Industries
Chris-Craft Industries, Inc., formerly National Automotive Fibers, Inc., was a publicly-held American corporation traded on the New York and Pacific Stock Exchanges. It later took on the name of one of its acquisitions, Chris-Craft Boats...
purchased a minority stake in United Television's parent 20th Century Fox.
Becoming an independent once again
On August 29, 1978, ABC announced that KSTP-TV would be its new affiliate in the Twin Cities. The signing of channel 5 made nationwide news, as it had been an NBC affiliate for three decades. KSTP looked forward to affiliating with the top network, as third-place NBC had been in a long slump. In retaliation for losing ABC, KMSP immediately removed all ABC branding and regularly preempted network programming. KMSP then attempted to affiliate with NBC, thinking Johnny CarsonJohnny Carson
John William "Johnny" Carson was an American television host and comedian, known as host of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson for 30 years . Carson received six Emmy Awards including the Governor Award and a 1985 Peabody Award; he was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1987...
would be a good lead-out from their 10:00 PM news, despite low prime time ratings. However, NBC, miffed at losing one of its strongest affiliates, and not wanting to pick up ABC's rejects, turned down KMSP's offer almost immediately and signed an affiliation agreement with independent WTCN.
As a result of being rejected by both ABC and NBC, KMSP prepared to become an independent station. It would also be freed up from investing as heavily in their meager news department. Most of the on-air and off-air staffers resigned, not wanting to work for a down-scaled independent operation.
The affiliate switch occurred on March 5, 1979, and KMSP debuted its new independent schedule featuring cartoons, syndicated shows and even the locally-based American Wrestling Association
American Wrestling Association
The American Wrestling Association was an American professional wrestling promotion based in Minneapolis, Minnesota that ran from 1960 to 1991. It was owned and founded by Verne Gagne and Wally Karbo...
, with much of it coming from WTCN-TV. It re-branded itself as "Receptive Channel 9", and became quite aggressive in programming, obtaining broadcast rights to several state high school sports championships (MSHSL), the NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
's Minnesota North Stars
Minnesota North Stars
The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white...
and the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
baseball team. The stripped-down evening newscast was moved to 9:30 p.m., then by 1981 to 9 p.m. and expanded to one hour.
As it turned out, KMSP's transition into an independent station turned out to be a blessing in disguise. It was far more successful than it ever had been as an ABC affiliate. It became a regional superstation
Superstation
Superstation in United States television can have several meanings. In its most precise meaning, a superstation is defined by the Federal Communications Commission as "A television broadcast station, other than a network station, licensed by the FCC that is secondarily transmitted by a satellite...
, available on nearly every cable system in Minnesota as well as large portions of North Dakota
North Dakota
North Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....
, South Dakota
South Dakota
South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over...
, Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, and Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
. Over time, it became one of the most successful and profitable independent stations in the country.
In 1981, KMSP went through another ownership change when United Television became partly owned by BHC Communications
BHC Communications
BHC Communications, Inc. was the holding company for the broadcast property of Chris-Craft Industries. BHC is said to stand for "broadcasting holding company".-History:...
as the result of Chris Craft Industries' swap of its stake (then at 20 percent) in 20th Century Fox for a 19 percent stake in United Television. Two years later, Chris-Craft Industries gained majority control of United Television.
First Fox affiliation, then back to independent
The station remained independent through 1986, when it became one of the original affiliates of the newly-launched FoxFox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
network. However, Fox only aired programming two days a week, so for all intents and purposes KMSP was still an independent. This suited channel 9, as it wanted the prestige of being a network affiliate without being tied down to a network schedule. For all intents and purposes, it was the Fox affiliate for all of Minnesota. However, it did not remain a Fox affiliate for long. By 1988, KMSP was one of several Fox affiliates nationwide disappointed with the network's weak programming offerings, particularly on Saturday nights, which were bogging down KMSP's otherwise successful independent lineup. It started preempting and time-shifting network shows, much to Fox's irritation. After an ultimatum by the network to run the full schedule in pattern, Fox named KITN (channel 29, now WFTC) as its new Twin Cities affiliate, and KMSP returned to full independent status.
Along with the other United Television stations, KMSP became afiliated with the Prime Time Entertainment Network
Prime Time Entertainment Network
The Prime Time Entertainment Network was a United States television network launched in 1993 by the Prime Time Consortium, a joint venture between Warner Bros. Domestic Television and the Chris-Craft group of independent stations...
from 1993 to 1995.
As a UPN affiliate
By the early 1990s, Fox had exploded in popularity. It had strong shows that were starting to rival the offerings of the 'Big Three' networks, and had just picked up rights to the NFL. In response to this, KMSP's then-owner, Chris-Craft/United Television, partnered with Paramount PicturesParamount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
(which soon became part of media conglomerate Viacom
Viacom
Viacom Inc. , short for "Video & Audio Communications", is an American media conglomerate with interests primarily in, but not limited to, cinema and cable television...
) to create the United Paramount Network (UPN). Channel 9 became a UPN owned and operated station on January 16, 1995, the day the network commenced operations with the two-hour pilot episode of Star Trek: Voyager
Star Trek: Voyager
Star Trek: Voyager is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe. Set in the 24th century from the year 2371 through 2378, the series follows the adventures of the Starfleet vessel USS Voyager, which becomes stranded in the Delta Quadrant 70,000 light-years from Earth while...
.
KMSP became one of UPN's most successful affiliates. In addition, it was still enjoying success with local sports programming featuring the Minnesota Twins, as well as the MSHSL championships.
Return to Fox as an owned-and-operated station
KMSP remained as a UPN affiliate even after the station, along with several other stations owned by Chris-Craft, was sold to the Fox Television Stations GroupFox Television Stations Group
Fox Television Stations, Inc. is a group of television stations located within the United States which are owned-and-operated by the Fox Broadcasting Company, a subsidiary of the Fox Entertainment Group, part of News Corporation...
in 2001 (this brought KMSP, along with sister stations KMOL-TV
WOAI-TV
WOAI-TV, virtual channel 4 , is the NBC affiliate television station serving the San Antonio, Texas metropolitan area. Its transmitter is located in Elmendorf, Texas, with its studios located in downtown San Antonio....
in San Antonio and KTVX in Salt Lake City, back under common ownership with 20th Century Fox). An affiliation swap was expected after KMSP's affiliation contract with UPN ran out. Besides Fox's presumed preference to have its programming on a station it already owned, KMSP's signal was much stronger than that of WFTC. Also, WFTC didn't have a news department. The move was made easier when Fox bought WFTC from Clear Channel
Clear channel
A clear-channel station is an AM band Radio station in North America that has the highest protection from interference from other stations, particularly concerning night-time skywave propagation. Usually known as class A stations since 1982, they are occasionally still referred to by their former...
shortly after in July 2001 (it swapped KTVX in Salt Lake City and KMOL, now WOAI-TV in San Antonio, for WFTC).
On September 8, 2002, KMSP and WFTC swapped network affiliations. This move (accompanied by a "Make the Switch" ad campaign on both stations) made KMSP a Fox station once again. At that time, KMSP took all Fox programming, including the Fox Box (which later went back to WFTC as 4KidsTV until its December 2008 discontinuation). The affiliation swap coincided with the start of the 2002
2002 NFL season
The 2002 NFL season was the 83rd regular season of the National Football League.The league went back to an even number of teams, expanding to 32 teams with the addition of the Houston Texans. The clubs were then realigned into eight divisions, four teams in each...
NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
season; KMSP became the primary station for the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
as Fox owns the broadcast rights
NFL on FOX
NFL on Fox is the brand name of the Fox Broadcasting Company's coverage of the National Football League's National Football Conference games, produced by Fox Sports...
to the National Football Conference
National Football Conference
The National Football Conference is one of the two conferences of the National Football League . This conference and its counterpart, the American Football Conference , currently contain 16 teams each, making up the 32 teams of the NFL.-Current teams:Since 2002, the NFC has comprised 16 teams,...
(which the Vikings are in).
Of all the former Chris-Craft stations Fox retained, KMSP was the only one not to retain its UPN affiliation. KMSP is one of three network-owned stations in the Twin Cities alongside sister WFTC and CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
-owned WCCO
WCCO-TV
WCCO-TV, is the CBS owned and operated television station that serves the Minneapolis-St. Paul area of Minnesota. Its transmitter is at the Telefarm complex in Shoreview, Minnesota.- History :...
. Since most media market
Media market
A media market, broadcast market, media region, designated market area , Television Market Area , or simply market is a region where the population can receive the same television and radio station offerings, and may also include other types of media including newspapers and Internet content...
s have Fox affiliates and 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)'s SyndEx
Syndication exclusivity
Syndication exclusivity is a federal law in the United States designed to protect a local television station's rights to syndicated television programs by granting exclusive rights to the station for that program in the local market, usually defined by a station's Nielsen DMA...
market regulations normally require cable systems
Cable television
Cable television is a system of providing television programs to consumers via radio frequency signals transmitted to televisions through coaxial cables or digital light pulses through fixed optical fibers located on the subscriber's property, much like the over-the-air method used in traditional...
to only carry the local affiliate of any given network, KMSP was eventually removed from most cable
Cable television
Cable television is a system of providing television programs to consumers via radio frequency signals transmitted to televisions through coaxial cables or digital light pulses through fixed optical fibers located on the subscriber's property, much like the over-the-air method used in traditional...
lineups in northern and western Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
, North Dakota
North Dakota
North Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....
, South Dakota
South Dakota
South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over...
, Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
and Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
and lost its "regional superstation" status it held as an independent station and UPN affiliate. Due to the advent of digital television
Digital terrestrial television
Digital terrestrial television is the technological evolution of broadcast television and advance from analog television, which broadcasts land-based signals...
, many stations in smaller markets previously served by KMSP launched digital subchannel
Digital subchannel
In broadcasting, digital subchannels are a means to transmit more than one independent program at the same time from the same digital radio or digital television station on the same radio frequency channel. This is done by using data compression techniques to reduce the size of each individual...
s affiliated with UPN
UPN
United Paramount Network was a television network that was broadcast in over 200 markets in the United States from 1995 to 2006. UPN was originally owned by Viacom/Paramount and Chris-Craft Industries, the former of which, through the Paramount Television Group, produced most of the network's...
to replace UPN's programming in those markets.
Fox proceeded to invest heavily in KMSP, creating the station's strongest news operation ever (it even briefly produced a newscast for sister station WFTC). In addition, Fox soon become a full-fledged competitor with NBC, ABC and CBS with a number of hit shows and an aggressive cable news operation. The late night edition of Fox 9 News today often draws better ratings than the newscasts on KSTP-TV, which obtained the ABC affiliation from KMSP thirty years earlier.
Video news release controversy
On June 16, 2006, KMSP played a "video news releaseVideo news release
A video news release is a video segment made to look like a news report, but is instead created by a PR firm, advertising agency, marketing firm, corporation, or government agency. They are provided to television newsrooms to shape public opinion, promote commercial products and services,...
" about convertible
Convertible
A convertible is a type of automobile in which the roof can retract and fold away having windows which wind-down inside the doors, converting it from an enclosed to an open-air vehicle...
s produced by GM
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
in its entirety. The narrator, Medialink
Medialink
Medialink is a media representation company based in Ireland.Medialink was created in 1989, the company has worked with some Republic of Ireland and United Kingdom newspaper and magazine publishers...
publicist Andrew Schmertz, was introduced as reporter André Schmertz. KMSP did not disclose the corporate source of this segment to their viewers. On March 24, 2011, KMSP was levied a $4,000 fine by 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...
for airing the video news release without disclosing its origin, following complaints in 2006 and 2007 filed by the Free Press
Free Press (organization)
Free Press is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, national organization working to reform the media in the United States.It was founded in 2002 by media scholar Robert W. McChesney, The Nation contributor John Nichols, and Josh Silver, current CEO of the Democracy Fund, a foundation challenging the influence...
and The Center for Media and Democracy.
Digital television
MyNetworkTV
MyNetworkTV is a television broadcast syndication service in the United States, owned by the Fox Entertainment Group, a division of News Corporation...
SD
KMSP-DT was originally on 26, through the use of PSIP, digital television receivers display its virtual channel
Virtual channel
In telecommunications, a logical channel number , also known as virtual channel, is a channel designation which differs from that of the actual radio channel on which the signal travels....
as 9. As part of the analog television shutdown and digital conversion was completed, KMSP-TV shut down its analog transmitter on June 12, 2009, and moved its digital broadcasts back to channel 9.
In November 2009 the station moved the standard definition feed of WFTC to KMSP-DT2 to allow viewers to choose which of the FTSG signals works best for their reception needs.
News operation
KMSP broadcasts a total of 41 hours of local news a week (6½ hours on weekdays, four hours on Saturdays and 4½ hours on Sundays), more than any other station in Minneapolis and the state of Minnesota; however as is standard with Fox stations that carry early evening weekend newscasts, KMSP's Saturday and Sunday 5 p.m. newscasts are subject to preemption due to sports coverage.The station has had a long-running 9 p.m. newscast (now known as Fox at 9), which airs an hour before all other news broadcasts in the area. The two primary news anchors are Jeff Passolt and Robyne Robinson, who are the longest current anchor team in the Twin Cities
Twin cities
Twin cities are a special case of two cities or urban centres which are founded in close geographic proximity and then grow into each other over time...
at 14 years, according to the station. This changed when Robinson announced on May 11, 2010 that she would leave KMSP after 20 years at the station.
KMSP, along with KDFW
KDFW
KDFW, virtual channel 4 , is the Fox owned-and-operated television station in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex designated market area....
in Dallas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
-Fort Worth, and KSAZ-TV
KSAZ-TV
KSAZ-TV, virtual channel 10.1, is the Fox owned-and-operated station in Phoenix, Arizona. It is owned by Fox Television Stations in a duopoly with MyNetworkTV station KUTP ....
in Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
are the only Fox-owned stations to have a 10 p.m. newscast in the Central and Mountain Time Zones (of the mentioned stations, KMSP and KDFW do not run their 10 p.m. newscast nightly and KMSP is the only one that airs their 10 p.m. newscast on during the weekend, airing it on Sunday nights. However, KSAZ in Phoenix runs a 10pm newscast seven nights per week.). Sister stations WTVT
WTVT
WTVT, channel 13, is a television station in Tampa, Florida. It is an owned and operated station of the Fox Broadcasting Company, a subsidiary of the News Corporation...
in Tampa
Tâmpa
Tâmpa may refer to several villages in Romania:* Tâmpa, a village in Băcia Commune, Hunedoara County* Tâmpa, a village in Miercurea Nirajului, Mureş County* Tâmpa, a mountain in Braşov city...
-St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. It is known as a vacation destination for both American and foreign tourists. As of 2008, the population estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau is 245,314, making St...
and WTTG
WTTG
WTTG, channel 5, is an owned-and-operated television station of the Fox Broadcasting Company, located in the American capital city of Washington, D.C...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
have a late newscast at the Eastern time zone equivalent of 11 p.m.
On September 24, 2007, sister station WJBK
WJBK
WJBK is the Fox–owned and operated television station in Detroit, Michigan broadcasting on digital channel 7...
in Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
became the third Fox O&O in the Eastern time zone to add an 11 p.m. newscast. This was when WJBK
WJBK
WJBK is the Fox–owned and operated television station in Detroit, Michigan broadcasting on digital channel 7...
joined KMSP as being one out of several Fox O&Os to go with the FNC-look (new set, new rotating logo, etc.). Fox may have all the O&Os add an 11 p.m. newscast should this become a success. This may mean more of the Fox O&Os in the Central and Mountain Time Zones could add a 10 p.m. newscast as well (KTBC
KTBC
KTBC, channel 7, is the Fox owned-and-operated television station in Austin, Texas. Studios are located in downtown Austin at the corner of 10th and Brazos Streets , and its transmitter is located in the city....
in Austin
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
had a 10 p.m. newscast for years after switching to Fox, which has since been scaled back to 9 p.m.).
Conversely, KMSP is also one of a few Fox O&Os without a midday newscast (along with WFXT
WFXT
WFXT is a television station owned and operated by the News Corporation-owned Fox Broadcasting Company, located in Boston, Massachusetts. The station's studio and office facility is in Dedham, Massachusetts, and its transmitter is located in Needham, Massachusetts...
in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
and WOFL
WOFL
WOFL, channel 35, is the Fox owned-and-operated television station serving the Orlando, Florida metropolitan area. It is licensed to Orlando, with studios located in Lake Mary. It broadcasts its digital signal on UHF channel 22. On cable, WOFL-TV is currently seen on channel 3 for subscribers of...
in Orlando
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
) and one of five Fox O&Os with a 5 p.m. newscast, but no 6 p.m. newscast (along with KTBC in Austin
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
, WHBQ
WHBQ-TV
WHBQ-TV, channel 13, is an owned-and-operated television station of the News Corporation-owned Fox Broadcasting Company, located in Memphis, Tennessee. Its studios and transmitter are located in Memphis.-Under RKO General:...
in Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
, KRIV in Houston
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
and WFXT
WFXT
WFXT is a television station owned and operated by the News Corporation-owned Fox Broadcasting Company, located in Boston, Massachusetts. The station's studio and office facility is in Dedham, Massachusetts, and its transmitter is located in Needham, Massachusetts...
in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
.
On May 11, 2009, KMSP became the second station to launch local news in high definition. The first was KARE
KARE
KARE, digital channel 11, is an NBC-affiliated television station licensed to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and serving the Minneapolis-St. Paul area of Minnesota and portions of western Wisconsin. It also operates KARE WX NOW, formerly known as NBC Weather Plus on its second digital subchannel...
in 2006. The set and music remains the same. The only new thing are the new Fox O&O HD graphics with some minor tweaks and HD weather graphics. On September 14, 2009 KMSP expanded its morning newscast to five and a half hours from 4:30-10 a.m. (one of several Fox-owned stations to do so, following the cancellation of The Morning Show with Mike & Juliet), with the 9 a.m. hour being called Fox 9 Buzz.
Awards
The station is noted for having a number of Emmy-winning photojournalistsPhotojournalism
Photojournalism is a particular form of journalism that creates images in order to tell a news story. It is now usually understood to refer only to still images, but in some cases the term also refers to video used in broadcast journalism...
and reporters. The newscasts have been nationally honored with the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award for Best Newscast and Spot News Coverage, in addition to Investigative Reporting, and Videography.
In September 2011, KMSP won another 12 Emmys including Station Excellence, Daytime Newscast, Evening Newscast, and more. Sister station WFTC
WFTC
WFTC, channel 29, is a MyNetworkTV owned and operated television station licensed to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and serving the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area...
also picked up two more for commercials.
In October 2008, KMSP won another 17 Emmys, along with four Emmys for its sister station WFTC
WFTC
WFTC, channel 29, is a MyNetworkTV owned and operated television station licensed to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and serving the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area...
. Among this years Emmys were wins for ads for myfoxhockey.com, foxhilitestwincities.com, "Stay Connected with Fox 9", and best online marketing initiative for Family Guy Photos at the Fair. Sister station WFTC
WFTC
WFTC, channel 29, is a MyNetworkTV owned and operated television station licensed to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and serving the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area...
won multiple Emmys for Twins on My29 Pinball Promos, and its generic composite ads.
In October 2007, KMSP won 17 Emmys, along with one Emmy for its sister station WFTC
WFTC
WFTC, channel 29, is a MyNetworkTV owned and operated television station licensed to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and serving the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area...
. Among the Emmys were wins for Best Website, Several Investigative Reports, along with several Emmys for Advertisements such as the "Wake Up With Fox 9" and the "Jeff & Robyne" spots. For a complete list visit National Television Academy Upper Midwest Chapter.
Newscast titles
- On Top Of The News (1955–1956)
- Report to Minnesota (1956–1958)
- Bill Ingram News (1958–1961)
- Bob Allard News (1961–1962)
- The Big News (1962–1964)
- Fahan-Steer News (1964–1969)
- Eyewitness NewsEyewitness NewsEyewitness News is a style of news broadcasting used by local television stations in different markets across the United States. It refers to a particular style of television newscast with an emphasis on visual elements and action video...
(1969–1973) - Newsnine (1973–1978)
- Newswatch (1978–1979)
- Prime Time News (1979–1991)
- Minnesota 9 News/Minnesota 9 Tonight (1991–1999)
- 9 News (1999-September 7, 2002)
- Fox 9 News (September 8, 2002–present)
- Fox 9 Morning News (September 8, 2002-present)
- Fox 9 News at 9 (September 8, 2002-2011)
- Fox at 9 (2011-present)
- Fox at 10 (September 2008-present)
- Fox at 5 (2008-present)
- Fox at 5:30 (2008-present)
- Fox 9 News: Morning Buzz (9 a.m. newscast; 2009-present)
Station slogans
- ABC Has Moved to 9! (1961)
- Channel 9, Your Eyewitness News Headquarters (1969–1973)
- Good Movie Time on KMSP-9 (1971–1974)
- Your Newsnine station (1973–1978)
- Newsnine: You Just Watch (1973–1975)
- Join the Boyett-Bremen Fan Club (1974)
- Newsnine: Keep on Watchin (1975–1977)
- ABC-9 (1978)
- We're Receptive (1979–1984)
- The Twin Cities' #1 Prime Time News (1984–1991)
- We've Gone Hollywood (1984)
- The Movie Tube (1984)
- Minnesota 9 News: First in the Twin Cities (1991–1999)
- 9 News: It's About You (1999-September 8, 2002)
- Make the Switch (September 8, 2002; used to promote the affiliation switch to Fox)
- The Most Powerful Name in Local News (2002–present; used on news promos)
- Wake Up With Fox 9 (2002–present; used on morning news promos)
- Stay Connected with Fox 9 (2008–present; general)
News team (as of September 2011)
Anchors- Tim Blotz - Friday-Saturdays at 5 and 9, and Fridays at 10 p.m.
- Tom Butler - weekday mornings Fox 9 Morning News (4:30-9 a.m.)
- Heidi CollinsHeidi CollinsHeidi Collins is an American correspondent and anchor for KMSP-TV Fox 9 News in Minneapolis – Saint Paul. She formerly worked for CNN.-Life and career:...
- Sunday-Thursdays at 5 and 9 p.m. - Tom Halden - weekend mornings Fox 9 Weekend News; also fill-in weather anchor
- Alix Kendall - weekday mornings Fox 9 Morning News (6-9 a.m.) and Fox 9 Buzz (9-10 a.m.)
- Jason MathesonJason MathesonJason Matheson is an entertainment reporter and film critic for FOX-owned and operated station, KMSP-TV, FOX 9 NEWS in Minneapolis, Minnesota....
- weekday mornings Fox 9 Buzz (9-10 a.m.) - Randy MeierRandy MeierRandy Meier served as an anchor for MSNBC for 3 years. He joined the network in 2003 from KSTP-TV . and exited on Friday June 23, 2006 after MSNBC decided not to renew his contract....
- Sunday-Fridays at 10, and Fridays at 5 and 9 p.m. - Jeff Passolt - Sunday-Thursdays at 5 and 9 p.m.
- Karen Scullin - weekend mornings Fox 9 Weekend News, and Saturdays at 5, 9 and 10 p.m.; also fill-in weather anchor
- Dawn Stevens - weekday mornings "Fox 9 Morning News" (4:30-6 a.m.)
Fox 9 Weather First
- Ian Leonard (AMSAmerican Meteorological SocietyThe American Meteorological Society promotes the development and dissemination of information and education on the atmospheric and related oceanic and hydrologic sciences and the advancement of their professional applications. Founded in 1919, the American Meteorological Society has a membership...
Seal of Approval; CMOS-endorsed weathercaster) - chief meteorologist; Sunday-Thursdays at 5, 9 and 10 p.m. - Marina Jurica (AMS and NWANational Weather AssociationThe National Weather Association is an American professional association with a mission to support and promote excellence in operational meteorology and related activities...
Seals of Approval) - meteorologist; Fridays at 5, 9 and 10, weekend mornings and Saturdays at 5 and 9 p.m. - Keith Marler (AMS Seal of Approval) - meteorologist; weekday mornings Fox 9 Morning News and Fox 9 Buzz
- Karl Spring (AMS Certified Broadcast MeteorologistCertified Broadcast MeteorologistCertified Broadcast Meteorologist is a rating for meteorologists given by the American Meteorological Society.The Certified Broadcast Meteorologist program was established to raise the professional standard in broadcast meteorology and encourage a broader range of scientific understanding,...
Seal of Approval) - meteorologist; fill-in - Steve Frazier (AMS Certified Broadcast MeteorologistCertified Broadcast MeteorologistCertified Broadcast Meteorologist is a rating for meteorologists given by the American Meteorological Society.The Certified Broadcast Meteorologist program was established to raise the professional standard in broadcast meteorology and encourage a broader range of scientific understanding,...
Seal of Approval) - meteorologist; fill-in
Sports team
- Jim Rich - sports director; Sunday-Thursdays at 5, 9 and 10 p.m.
- Dawn MitchellDawn MitchellDawn Mitchell is an Emmy Award–winning American sportscaster who has worked as a sports anchor and reporter for KMSP-TV in Minneapolis since 2004. She recently won an Emmy in 2010....
- sports anchor; Friday-Sundays at 5, 9 and 10 p.m.; also sports reporter
Reporters
- Jody Ambroz - general assignment reporter; also fill-in anchor
- Jeff Baillon - investigative reporter; also fill-in anchor
- Leah Beno - general assignment reporter
- Paul Blume - general assignment reporter
- Jeff Goldberg - general assignment and government reporter
- Maury Glover - general assignment reporter
- Bill Keller - general assignment reporter
- Tom Lyden - investigative reporter; also fill-in anchor
- Jason Matheson - entertainment reporter
- Rob Olson - general assignment reporter
- M.A. Rosko - weekday morning feature reporter
- Erik Runge - general assignment reporter
- Trish Van Pilsum - investigative reporter
- Todd Walker - weekend morning feature reporter
- Scott Wasserman - general assignment reporter
News personnel
- Bill Dallman - news director
- Patrick Armijo - executive producer
- Lori Fisher - executive producer
- Hayley Herst - executive producer, Fox 9 Morning News and Fox 9 Buzz
- Seth Kaplan - executive sports producer
- Mike Durkin - senior web producer
Former on-air staff
- Pete Busch - traffic reporter (now at KARE-TV)
- Christine ClayburgChristine ClayburgChristine Clayburg, born May 26, 1973 in Paso Robles, California is an American television meteorologist who also has done some acting and screenwriting....
- weekend meteorologist - Steve DoyleSteve DoyleStephen Charles "Steve" Doyle is a Welsh former professional football midfielder who made 626 appearances in the Football League playing for Preston North End, Huddersfield Town, Sunderland, Hull City and Rochdale. He also gained a cap for the Wales U-21's in 1983.-References:...
- anchor (1973–1979) - Rod GramsRod GramsRodney Dwight "Rod" Grams served the state of Minnesota in both the United States House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.- Early life :...
- anchor - Bob HallBob HallBob Hall is an American motoring journalist. He is married to Karen Kato, and is the identical twin brother of motoring journalist Jim N. Hall . He can read, write and speak Japanese fluently.Hall is best known as a member of the development team who produced the Mazda MX-5...
- weather anchor - Angela Hampton - 10PM anchor (now at WTVDWTVDWTVD, channel 11, is an owned-and-operated television station of the Walt Disney Company-owned American Broadcasting Company, licensed to Durham, North Carolina. The station serves the areas of Durham, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, and Fayetteville, known as the Triangle...
in Raleigh, North CarolinaRaleigh, North CarolinaRaleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
) - Ed HardingEd HardingEd Harding is the principal anchor on WCVB-TV in Boston, anchoring the 5, 6, and 11 PM editions of NewsCenter 5. He is a native of Newton, Massachusetts and lives in Wellesley with his wife and two children...
- sports anchor - Don HarrisonDon HarrisonDon Harrison was an anchor on CNN Headline News from 1982 until his death from renal cancer in 1998. He was a member of the original team of anchors when Headline News went on the air for the first time as "CNN2" in 1982....
- anchor (1975–1979; later with Headline News; died 1998) - Jack HornerJack HornerJack Horner may refer to:*Jack Horner , a character from the comic book, Fables, created by Bill Willingham, based on the nursery rhyme character*Jack Horner , Gordon John Horner, Minnesota sportscaster...
- sports anchor (1950s; died in 2005)http://www.pavekmuseum.org/Horner.htm - Bob KurtzBob KurtzBob Kurtz, founder of , is a director, producer, artist, and designer who primarily works in films and TV commercials. He attended the Chouinard Art Institute...
- occasional sports anchor, also Twins play-by-play announcer (1979–1986) - Dave LeeDave LeeDave Lee may refer to:* Dave Lee , British horn and Wagner tuba player associated with the Michael Nyman Band* Dave Lee , British DJ, producer, and remixer often better known as Joey Negro* Dave Lee...
- children's host, puppeteer on "Looney Tuners Club" - Mike Nicco - weekend meteorologist (2003–2006; now weekday morning meteorologist at KGO-TVKGO-TVKGO-TV, channel 7, is an owned-and-operated television station of the Walt Disney Company-owned American Broadcasting Company, based in San Francisco, California...
in San Francisco) - Dave McLaughlinDave McLaughlinDavid "Dave" McLaughlin is an American writer, director and producer.McLaughlin is best known for writing the dramatic film Southie. In 2006 he directed his first feature, On Broadway, which he will also wrote and produced....
- weather anchor (1975–1978) - John McNicholJohn McNicholJohn "Johnny" McNichol was a Scottish footballer who played more than 500 games in the Football League in England...
- News Reporter - George NooryGeorge NooryGeorge Ralph Noory is a Lebanese-American radio talk show host.As of 2010, he is the weekday host of the late-night radio talk show Coast to Coast AM. He is heard across the United States and Canada on many AM and FM stations as well as on XM Satellite Radio. His show is one of the most listened...
- news director (late 1970s) Now host of Coast To Coast AMCoast to Coast AMCoast to Coast AM is a North American late-night syndicated radio talk show that deals with a variety of topics, but most frequently ones that relate to either the paranormal or conspiracy theories. It was created by Art Bell and is distributed by Premiere Radio Networks. The program currently...
http://www.coasttocoastam.com/george/about.html - Tony ParkerTony ParkerWilliam Anthony "Tony" Parker is a French professional basketball player who currently plays for the San Antonio Spurs of the NBA....
- sports anchor (1955–1975) - '"Hank PlanteHank PlanteHank Plante is an American television reporter and editor. Winner of the George Foster Peabody Award and multiple Emmys, he covered California for three decades for TV stations in San Francisco and Los Angeles. He now writes occasional columns for newspapers in California, usually focusing on...
- Reporter (1979-1980). Went on to win 5 Emmys and a George Foster Peabody Award. Now retired in Palm Springs, CA. - Ahmad RashadAhmad RashadAhmad Rashād is an American sportscaster and former professional football player. An All-American running back and wide receiver from Oregon known as Bobby Moore, Rashad was the fourth overall pick in the 1972 NFL Draft, drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals...
- sports anchor (1978; now host of NBA Inside Stuff on NBA TVNBA TVNBA TV is a television specialty channel that is dedicated to showcasing the sport of basketball in the United States. The network is financially backed by the National Basketball Association , which also uses NBA TV as a way of advertising their out of market package NBA League Pass, and partner...
) - Janie Peterson - chief meteorologist (2000–2006; now running Peteson Productions)
- Harry ReasonerHarry ReasonerHarry Truman Reasoner was an American journalist for ABC and CBS News, known for his inventive use of language as a television commentator, and as a founder of the 60 Minutes program.-Biography:...
- anchor (1950s; later with CBSCBSCBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
and ABCAmerican Broadcasting CompanyThe 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...
; died 1991) - Robyne RobinsonRobyne RobinsonRobyne Robinson is an award-winning American television journalist and entrepreneur. She ran as a candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota in 2010.-Biography:...
-anchor (1990–2010) - Tim Sherno - morning anchor (1997–2005; now at KSTP-TVKSTP-TVKSTP-TV, channel 5, is the ABC affiliate for the Twin Cities. Its transmitter is located at the Shoreview Telefarm. It is the flagship station of Hubbard Broadcasting, which also owns several other broadcasting properties across the United States....
) - Ron Trenda - weekend meteorologist (now at WCCO-TVWCCO-TVWCCO-TV, is the CBS owned and operated television station that serves the Minneapolis-St. Paul area of Minnesota. Its transmitter is at the Telefarm complex in Shoreview, Minnesota.- History :...
) - Sue Turner - weekend anchor
- Perry WilliamsPerry WilliamsPerry Williams may refer to:*Perry Williams , American football cornerback*Perry Williams , American football running back...
- sports anchor - Lara Yamada - weekend morning anchor (August–October 2006; now at KCPQKCPQKCPQ, channel 13, is the Fox television affiliate licensed to Tacoma, Washington serving the Seattle/Tacoma television market, owned by the Tribune Company...
in Seattle) - Jackson O'Brien- meteorologist 1972-1975 (now an anchor at KSTP-TV)
Broadcasting facilities
The KMSP TV Tower is located in Shoreview, MinnesotaShoreview, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there are 25,377 people, Males: 12,303 , Females: 13,074 , 9,965 households, and 7,021 families residing in the city. The population density is 2,315.9 people per square mile . There are 10,127 housing units at an average density of 919.2 per square mile...
. KMSP owns the tower, which stands 1466 feet (446.8 m) tall, but shares it with sister station WFTC
WFTC
WFTC, channel 29, is a MyNetworkTV owned and operated television station licensed to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and serving the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area...
and the Twin Cities Public Television
Twin Cities Public Television
Twin Cities Public Television is a non-profit organization based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States, that operates the Twin Cities' two Public Broadcasting Service member Public television stations, KTCA-TV and KTCI-TV...
stations, KTCA and KTCI. Several FM stations are also on the tower: KQRS-FM, KXXR
KXXR
KXXR is an active rock radio station broadcasting to the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. It is owned by Cumulus Media, which also owns KQRS-FM and the three station trimulcast known as "Love 105"...
("93X"), KTCZ
KTCZ
KTCZ-FM is a AAA radio station broadcasting to the Twin Cities market of Minnesota and neighboring Wisconsin.Cities 97 is owned by Clear Channel Communications. Its transmitter is located in Shoreview, Minnesota.-History:...
("Cities 97"), KTIS-FM
KTIS-FM
KTIS-FM is a contemporary Christian music formatted radio station located in Minneapolis, Minnesota owned and operated by Northwestern College....
, KSJN
KSJN
KSJN is the flagship station of Minnesota Public Radio's classical music network, serving the Twin Cities region. Prior to 1991, 99.5 was known as WLOL, best known as a top-rated CHR station during the 1980s.-KSJN intellectual unit:...
, KTLK-FM
KTLK-FM
KFXN-FM 100.3 —branded 100.3 FM KFAN: The Fan—is a commercial radio station licensed to Minneapolis, Minnesota, broadcasting a sports talk format. The station is owned by Clear Channel Communications, and serves the Twin Cities market. KFXN-FM's transmitter is located in the suburb of Shoreview on...
, KDWB
KDWB
KDWB-FM is an American commercial radio station broadcasting in the Twin Cities region of Minnesota, the radio format was known for over fifty years as a major contemporary hit radio Top 40 pop music outlet. Its transmitter is located in Shoreview, Minnesota. It broadcasts in 5.1 cinema-quality...
, KEEY
KEEY
KEEY-FM is a country music formatted radio station serving the Minneapolis-St. Paul market of Minnesota. It is the most popular country station in the area, and often comes in just below area powerhouses KQRS-FM and WCCO in overall ratings. The station is owned by Clear Channel Communications...
("K102"), WLTE
WLTE
WLTE is a radio station in Minneapolis-St. Paul that carries a "Lite rock" adult contemporary format and has done so for more than two decades. WLTE is owned by CBS Corporation, which also owns WCCO radio today...
, and KZJK
KZJK
KZJK is a radio station broadcasting the adult hits "Jack FM" format in the Minneapolis-St. Paul region of Minnesota. The current format took to the air on the morning of April 21, 2005, following more than four years of a 1980s-centered playlist...
.
KMSP has an extensive network of broadcast translators to carry its analog signal throughout much of the state.
|
Olivia, Minnesota As of the census of 2000, there were 2,570 people, 75 households, and 658 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,102.7 people per square mile . There were 1,178 housing units at an average density of 505.4 per square mile... St. James, Minnesota As of the census of 2000, there were 4,695 people, 1,845 households, and 1,186 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,050.3 people per square mile . There were 2,006 housing units at an average density of 876.0 per square mile... Wadena, Minnesota As of the census of 2000, there were 4,294 people, 1,871 households, and 1,062 families residing in the city. The population density was 818.4 people per square mile . There were 1,964 housing units at an average density of 374.3 per square mile... Hackensack, Minnesota Hackensack is a city in Cass County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 313 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Brainerd Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:... Willmar, Minnesota As of the census of 2000, there were 18,351 people, 7,302 households, and 4,461 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,549.9 people per square mile . There were 7,789 housing units at an average density of 657.8 per square mile... Windom, Minnesota As of the census of 2000, there were 4,490 people, 1,910 households, and 1,195 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,263.6 people per square mile . There were 2,089 housing units at an average density of 587.9 per square mile... |
External links
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- Historical KMSP footage at tcmedianow.com
- RabbitEars.info website - KMSP
- Your Newsnine Station: The saga of KMSP-TV Minneapolis - St. Paul in the 1970s
- Ken Wagner - KMSP-TV's legendary Grandpa Ken
- Photo of Harry Reasoner in 1955 with KEYD from the Minnesota Historical Society
- KEYD studio photo, Slim Jim’s Country Western Show
