KLKN

{{Infobox television station

| name =

| callsign = KLKN

| logo_alt = A silvery 8 in a blue circle with silver trim, with the ABC logo to the right and slightly below.

| logo = KLKN 8 logo.png

| branding = Channel 8 KLKN-TV; Channel 8 News

| digital = 8 (VHF)

| virtual = 8

| translators = 35 (UHF) Lincoln

| affiliations = {{ubl|8.1: ABC|for others, see {{section link||Subchannels}}}}

| country = United States

| airdate = {{start date and age|1964|12|3|p=y|br=yes}}{{efn|Channel 8 signed on as KHQL-TV, a satellite of KHOL-TV, from Albion in 1964. It broadcast independently as KBGT-TV from June 1984 to November 1986, became a satellite of KCAU-TV in November 1986, and moved to Lincoln as KLKN on April 1, 1996.}}

| location = Lincoln, Nebraska

| callsign_meaning = Lincoln

| former_callsigns = {{ubl|KHQL-TV (1964–1974)|KCNA-TV (1974–1983)|KBGT-TV (1983–1987)|KCAN-TV (1987–1996)}}

| former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|Analog: 8 (VHF, 1964–2009)|Digital: 31 (UHF, 2002–2009)}}

| owner = Standard Media

| licensee = KLKN Lincoln License LLC

| former_affiliations = {{ubl|ABC (1964–1984 via KHOL-TV/KHGI-TV, 1986–1996 via KCAU-TV)|Independent (1984–1986)}}

| erp = 53 kW

| haat = {{convert|435|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}

| facility_id = 11264

| coordinates = {{coord|40|52|59|N|97|18|20|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}

| licensing_authority = FCC

| website = {{url|http://www.klkntv.com/}}

}}

KLKN (channel 8) is a television station in Lincoln, Nebraska, United States, affiliated with ABC. Owned by Standard Media, the station maintains studios on 10th Street south of downtown Lincoln and broadcasts from a transmitter located near Utica, Nebraska.

Channel 8 in central Nebraska was originally allocated to Albion and signed on in December 1964 as KHQL-TV, part of the ABC-affiliated Nebraska Television Network (NTV); the call letters changed to KCNA-TV in 1974. NTV's owners, the Amaturo Group, upgraded the KCNA-TV transmitter facility and split it from the network in 1984 as KBGT-TV "Big 8", the first independent station in the state of Nebraska. This lasted two years before Citadel Communications acquired the station and converted it at the end of 1986 into KCAN, which rebroadcast ABC affiliate KCAU-TV in Sioux City, Iowa.

Beginning in 1991, Citadel campaigned to move KCAN from Albion to Lincoln, where it would give the capital city two commercial television stations for the first time since the 1950s. The move began on April 1, 1996, when KLKN began broadcasting from Lincoln. The station also began producing its own local newscasts covering the Lincoln area. Even though Lincoln, Kearney, and Hastings are defined as one media market, KLKN and NTV generally focus on separate areas, serving Lincoln and the Tri-Cities, respectively. Satellite television providers Dish Network and DirecTV provide both stations across the entire market.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115176956/kfor-hires-on-air-personality-greg-jacks/|date=June 14, 2004|page=5D|title=KFOR hires on-air personality Greg Jackson away from KLIN|first=Jeff|last=Korbelik|newspaper=Lincoln Journal Star|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 26, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110045510/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115176956/kfor-hires-on-air-personality-greg/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115177105/klkn-tv-missing-from-directv-lineup/|date=October 19, 2013|page=A4|title=KLKN-TV missing from DirecTV lineup|newspaper=Lincoln Journal Star|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 26, 2022|archive-date=December 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226041705/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115177105/klkn-tv-missing-from-directv-lineup/|url-status=live}}

History

=Channel 8 at Albion: The NTV years=

In January 1961, a plan was released proposing the use of five additional very high frequency (VHF) channels for educational use in the state of Nebraska to expand the coverage of KUON-TV in Lincoln to 90 percent of the state population: channel 13 at Alliance, channel 8 at Albion, channel 3 at Bassett, channel 4 at Kearney, and channel 9 at North Platte.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114335502/tv-for-education-nebraskans-want-five/|date=January 9, 1961|page=16|title=TV for Education: Nebraskans Want Five TV Channels Reserved|newspaper=Lincoln Evening Journal and Nebraska State Journal|location=Lincoln, Nebraska|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 25, 2022|archive-date=December 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221225201108/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114335502/tv-for-education-nebraskans-want-five/|url-status=live}} KHOL-TV, an ABC affiliate in Kearney, also expressed interest in the allocation at Albion, {{convert|90|mi|km}} northwest of Lincoln, and began to survey the area as part of plans to locate a satellite of its station in Albion.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114335514/khol-tv-may-locate-studio-broadcasting/|date=February 23, 1961|page=1|title=KHOL-TV may locate studio, broadcasting unit in Albion|newspaper=Albion News|location=Albion, Nebraska|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 25, 2022|archive-date=December 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221225201102/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114335514/khol-tv-may-locate-studio-broadcasting/|url-status=live}} The matter became entangled in several other channel allocation proceedings,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114335598/fcc-is-still-considering-albion-channel/|date=June 15, 1961|page=1|title=FCC is still considering Albion channel 8 allocation|newspaper=Albion News|location=Albion, Nebraska|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 25, 2022|archive-date=December 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221225201101/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114335598/fcc-is-still-considering-albion-channel/|url-status=live}} but in November 1962, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved most of the educational television plan—except it protected channel 8 as a commercial station and assigned a UHF channel for educational use in Albion.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114335623/etv-in-state-given-boost-4-new/|date=November 9, 1962|page=2|title=ETV in State Given Boost: 4 New Stations Are Okayed by FCC|newspaper=Evening World-Herald|location=Omaha, Nebraska|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 25, 2022|archive-date=December 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221225201107/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114335623/etv-in-state-given-boost-4-new/|url-status=live}}

In the wake of the decision, the Bi-States Company, owner of KHOL-TV, applied for stations in Albion and Superior to repeat the Kearney outlet, which the FCC approved in February 1964.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114335846/two-satellites-for-bi-states/|date=February 12, 1964|page=1|title=Two satellites for Bi-States|agency=UPI|newspaper=Holdrege Daily Citizen|location=Holdrege, Nebraska|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 25, 2022|archive-date=December 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221225201106/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114335846/two-satellites-for-bi-states/|url-status=live}} With the call sign KHQL-TV—matching KHOL-TV and its satellite KHPL-TV—the station was constructed and began telecasting on December 3, 1964.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114336000/uhf-coaxial-cable-arrived-here-wedn/|date=December 10, 1964|page=1|title=UHF Coaxial Cable Arrived Here Wedn. Waiting For Material|newspaper=The Frontier and Holt County Independent|location=O'Neill, Nebraska|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 25, 2022|archive-date=December 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221225201100/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114336000/uhf-coaxial-cable-arrived-here-wedn/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=New TV station|id={{ProQuest|1014482348}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1964/1964-12-14-BC.pdf|page=45|access-date=November 20, 2011|newspaper=Broadcasting|date=December 14, 1964|archive-date=June 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606051746/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1964/1964-12-14-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}

In 1974, NTV Enterprises acquired the network;{{cite news|title=Changing hands|id={{ProQuest|1014680934}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1974/1974-02-25-BC.pdf|page=34|access-date=November 20, 2011|newspaper=Broadcasting|date=February 25, 1974|archive-date=December 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201150129/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1974/1974-02-25-BC.pdf|url-status=live}} on June 4, concurrent with changes at all of the NTV stations, KHQL-TV became KCNA-TV (for the largest towns in its service area, Columbus, Norfolk, and Albion).{{cite news|title=For the Record|id={{ProQuest|1014674160}}|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-IDX/74-OCR/1974-06-24-BC-0070.pdf|page=70|access-date=January 2, 2012|newspaper=Broadcasting|date=June 24, 1974}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114336100/new-owners-change-call-letters-on-ntv/|date=June 5, 1974|page=11|title=New owners change call letters on NTV stations|newspaper=The Columbus Telegram|location=Columbus, Nebraska|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 25, 2022|archive-date=December 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221225201104/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114336100/new-owners-change-call-letters-on-ntv/|url-status=live}} Joseph Amaturo bought the NTV stations in 1979 in a deal funded by the sale of KQTV in St. Joseph, Missouri.{{cite news|title=Changing Hands|id={{ProQuest|1014693207}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1979/BC-1979-06-11.pdf|page=39|access-date=November 20, 2011|newspaper=Broadcasting|date=June 11, 1979|archive-date=October 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028213404/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1979/BC-1979-06-11.pdf|url-status=live}}

=Big 8=

Amaturo Group announced in September 1983 that it would split KCNA-TV from the NTV network to become an independent station, move its transmitter to Genoa in Nance County to increase coverage, and rebrand it as KBGT-TV "Big 8" on November 1.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102718149/independent-station-intends-to-compete/|date=September 13, 1983|page=7|title=Independent station intends to compete with KOLN/KGIN|newspaper=Lincoln Journal|first=Val|last=Swinton|location=Lincoln, Nebraska|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 25, 2022|archive-date=December 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221225201103/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102718149/independent-station-intends-to-compete/|url-status=live}} (The name was a nod to the Big Eight Conference, of which the University of Nebraska was a member.{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings//ubpdugphurzhdeqlrzjymvmdxxktkvra_wma-gateway017_1672000810542|date=June 3, 1984|work=Grand Island Daily Independent|title='Big 8' TV station ready to air|first=Molly|last=Klocksin|page=2-B|access-date=December 26, 2022|archive-date=December 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226013219/https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2:15096F0020D4786A@GB3NEWS-17322ECE0F801645@2445855-16F4830923D6AA13@11-16F4830923D6AA13?clipid=ubpdugphurzhdeqlrzjymvmdxxktkvra_wma-gateway017_1672000810542|url-status=live}}) The November 1 date was missed when construction problems caused delays in constructing the Genoa tower before the project shut down for the winter,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102718336/weather-delays-building-tv-tower/|date=December 15, 1983|page=23|title=Weather delays building TV tower|newspaper=Lincoln Journal|location=Lincoln, Nebraska|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 25, 2022|archive-date=December 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221225201107/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102718336/weather-delays-building-tv-tower/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102718265/big-8-tv-should-debut-june-1-manager/|date=May 19, 1984|page=6|title=Big 8 TV should debut June 1, manager says|newspaper=The Lincoln Star|location=Lincoln, Nebraska|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 25, 2022|archive-date=December 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221225201105/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102718265/big-8-tv-should-debut-june-1-manager/|url-status=live}} and Big 8 began on June 16, 1984, as the first independent station in Nebraska and with a 24-hour program schedule.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102718381/big-8-tv-plans-debut-in-nebraska-on/|date=May 24, 1984|page=14|title=Big 8-TV plans debut in Nebraska on June 1|newspaper=Lincoln Journal Star|location=Lincoln, Nebraska|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 25, 2022|archive-date=December 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221225201058/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102718381/big-8-tv-plans-debut-in-nebraska-on/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115161458/kbgt-tv-debut-set-for-saturday/|date=June 15, 1984|page=5|title=KBGT-TV debut set for Saturday|newspaper=The Lincoln Star|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 25, 2022|archive-date=December 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221225201103/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115161458/kbgt-tv-debut-set-for-saturday/|url-status=live}}

Despite offering a typical schedule for an independent of its era, including syndicated programs, movies, sports, and national news coverage,{{r|GII840603}} Big 8 failed to catch on. The delayed construction process gave rise to a lawsuit filed by NTV in July 1984 against the contractor, seeking $1.4 million over what were described as substantial financial losses.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115169848/ntv-suing-construction-firm/|date=July 1, 1984|page=3C|title=NTV suing construction firm|newspaper=Lincoln Journal|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 25, 2022|archive-date=December 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226004709/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115169848/ntv-suing-construction-firm/|url-status=live}} The station's decision to briefly air unedited films, including nudity and strong language, in May 1986 led to boycotts and the loss of half of its local and national advertisers,{{Cite news |last=Miller |first=Martha |date=May 8, 1986 |title=Big-8 surrenders, goes back to edited films |page=17 |newspaper=The Lincoln Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115173436/big-8-surrenders-goes-back-to-edited-fi/ |access-date=April 20, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}} and the depressed regional farm economy further weighed on the business.{{r|fcc-kbgtsale}} Meanwhile, the Amaturo Group sold all of its other holdings during 1985. Three major-market FM stations were acquired by Keymarket Communications for $60 million, and NTV—but not KBGT-TV—was purchased by Gordon Broadcasting for $10 million.{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-01-27.pdf|work=Broadcasting|date=January 27, 1986|title=Changing Hands 1985|page=98|access-date=December 26, 2022|archive-date=December 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221227162208/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-01-27.pdf|url-status=live}} Amaturo later stated that, over the life of Big 8, the venture lost nearly $5 million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|5000000|1986}}}} in {{inflation/year|US}} dollars).{{cite web|title=Memorandum Opinion and Order|url=https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1583/m1/239/|date=November 13, 1986|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|access-date=November 20, 2011|archive-date=August 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140809121001/http://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1583/m1/239/|url-status=live}}

File:BIG 8.png

=KCAN=

In July 1986, Amaturo filed to sell KBGT-TV to Citadel Communications for $3 million.{{cite news|id={{ProQuest|1014734101}}|title=Changing Hands|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-07-28.pdf|page=89|access-date=November 20, 2011|newspaper=Broadcasting|date=July 28, 1986|archive-date=January 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118040445/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-07-28.pdf|url-status=live}} The sale contract excluded KBGT-TV's syndicated programming and film inventories.{{cite news|id={{ProQuest|1016897925}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-10-13.pdf|work=Broadcasting|pages=40–41|title=Syndicators meet on payment problems|date=October 13, 1986|access-date=December 26, 2022|archive-date=December 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206040314/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-10-13.pdf|url-status=live}} The FCC approved the sale in November, earlier than expected, and Citadel announced its plan for the station: to rebroadcast KCAU-TV, its ABC affiliate in Sioux City, Iowa. This restored ABC service to some households in and around Albion that were not covered by KCAU-TV itself, KETV in Omaha, or NTV.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102711541/sioux-city-signal-retransmission-planned/|date=November 14, 1986|page=16|title=Sioux City signal retransmission planned: Big 8 TV will become ABC 'satellite' station|newspaper=Lincoln Journal|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 26, 2022|archive-date=May 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528215111/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102711541/sioux-city-signal-retransmission/|url-status=live}} It also led to the station being removed from cable systems from Lincoln to Kearney.{{cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A1506BD2C09F963CC%40GB3NEWS-183FC81D09CE6F06%402446768-183BE8371B08EBAB%401-183BE8371B08EBAB?clipid=zvvbfwvvrlrhyefrflauahlerbzwydnv_wma-gateway011_1672000095930|title=Duplication puts KBGT off cable: New owners' changes put station in conflict with locals|page=2A|work=Kearney Hub|first=Steve|last=Chatelain|date=December 3, 1986|access-date=December 26, 2022|archive-date=December 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226135052/https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2:1506BD2C09F963CC@GB3NEWS-183FC81D09CE6F06@2446768-183BE8371B08EBAB@1-183BE8371B08EBAB?clipid=zvvbfwvvrlrhyefrflauahlerbzwydnv_wma-gateway011_1672000095930|url-status=live}}

In January 1987, the call letters were changed to KCAN.{{cite news|title=Call Letters|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1987/BC-1987-01-19.pdf|page=282|access-date=November 20, 2011|newspaper=Broadcasting|date=January 19, 1987|archive-date=December 1, 2020|id={{ProQuest|1016912900}}|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201110051/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1987/BC-1987-01-19.pdf|url-status=live}} This designation also represented Columbus, Albion and Norfolk, in addition to tying the station more closely to KCAU-TV.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115176026/kbgt-tv-owners-change-stations-call-let/|date=January 12, 1987|page=5|title=KBGT-TV owners change station's call letters|newspaper=The Columbus Telegram|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 26, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110045550/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115176026/kbgt-tv-owners-change-stations-call/|url-status=live}}

=Move to Lincoln=

Citadel filed in 1991 to move KCAN from Albion to Lincoln, proposing to build a satellite station on channel 18 to serve the Albion area in order to meet an FCC requirement.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102712276/lincoln-could-get-second-tv-station-if/|date=December 11, 1991|page=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102712584/station/ 4]|first=Maureen|last=Bogues|title=Lincoln could get second TV station if FCC OKs move of Albion's KCAN|newspaper=The Lincoln Star|location=Lincoln, Nebraska|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 26, 2022|archive-date=December 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226004708/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102712276/lincoln-could-get-second-tv-station-if/|url-status=live}}{{r|GII951008}} Citadel contended that Lincoln was the most underserved city of its size in the United States and among the most underserved state capitals for television service.{{r|Linc911211}} This was mostly due to a historical quirk. While Lincoln had been allocated two VHF channels and briefly had two commercial stations, that number became one when KOLN, originally on channel 12, bought the assets and physical plant of KFOR-TV and moved to its channel 10 in 1954; channel 12 was then donated to the University of Nebraska and became KUON-TV.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115171038/nus-tv-station-is-now-on-air/|date=November 1, 1954|page=4|title=NU's TV Station Is Now on Air|newspaper=Lincoln Evening Journal and Nebraska State Journal|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 26, 2022|archive-date=December 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226004712/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115171038/nus-tv-station-is-now-on-air/|url-status=live}} Besides KOLN, Lincoln viewers generally watched the Omaha network affiliates, including ABC affiliate KETV, which was cited as the most direct competition for a relocated KCAN.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115175924/lincoln-could-get-new-set-of-eyes-on-new/|date=February 20, 1995|page=5|first=Tom|last=Johnson|title=Lincoln could get new set of eyes on news by year's end|newspaper=Lincoln Journal|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 26, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110045511/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115175924/lincoln-could-get-new-set-of-eyes-on/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115175864/rumors-about-broadcast-affiliate-in-linc/|date=April 10, 1995|page=11|first=Tom|last=Johnson|title=Rumors about broadcast affiliate in Lincoln unfounded|newspaper=Lincoln Journal|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 26, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110045511/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115175864/rumors-about-broadcast-affiliate-in/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115176603/the-new-kid-on-the-block-klkn-ready-to/|date=March 22, 1996|page=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115176639/klknnew-tv-station-delays-start/ 3B]|first=Daniel R.|last=Moser|title=The new kid on the block, KLKN ready to air|newspaper=Lincoln Journal Star|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 26, 2022|archive-date=December 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226041708/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115176603/the-new-kid-on-the-block-klkn-ready-to/|url-status=live}}

The move was formally protested by KOLN as well as KPTM, the Fox affiliate in Omaha; KOLN's rebuttal cited concerns about signal overlap and loss of service in Albion, while KPTM objected on technical grounds.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102712480/second-commercial-tv-station-may-be/|date=October 9, 1993|page=1|agency=Associated Press|title=Second commercial TV station may be coming to Capital City|newspaper=The Lincoln Star|location=Lincoln, Nebraska|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 26, 2022|archive-date=December 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226004713/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102712480/second-commercial-tv-station-may-be/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Bahr |first=Jeff |date=October 16, 1993 |title=KCAN Move Draws Protests |page=61 |newspaper=Omaha World-Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123184561/kcan-move-draws-protests/ |access-date=April 20, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420022341/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123184561/kcan-move-draws-protests/ |url-status=live }} The FCC gave initial approval to the city of license change in 1993,{{r|Linc931009}} and final approval was awarded in June 1995, after which construction immediately began on a new transmitter site at Utica and work began to secure studio space in downtown Lincoln.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102712866/abc-satellite-television-station/|date=June 30, 1995|page=1|first=Daniel R.|last=Moser|title=ABC satellite television station allowed to relocate in Lincoln|newspaper=The Lincoln Star|location=Lincoln, Nebraska|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 26, 2022|archive-date=December 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226004712/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102712866/abc-satellite-television-station/|url-status=live}} Another factor that had delayed approval was that when the FCC assigned UHF channel 18 to Albion in place of channel 8, Fant Broadcasting—owners of NTV at the time—and Citadel both applied for it, with Citadel instead receiving channel 24, which was also added to Albion by the commission. Citadel then protested a proposed sale of NTV to Blackstar Communications in 1995, feeling that Fant Broadcasting had attempted to block its own Lincoln proposal; company president Anthony Fant denied this, noting that his main goal for seeking the Albion channel was to restore the coverage lost a decade prior and "try to put that part of the NTV puzzle back together".{{cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A15096F0020D4786A%40GB3NEWS-17322EE02330892C%402449999-16E1BB7301E49B1C%4022-16E1BB7301E49B1C?clipid=yvjvnhlybehjkqgcvygbfflsaiubrspo_wma-gateway019_1672027200479|title=NTV sale meets resistance: FCC to review complaint|pages=1-D, [https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A15096F0020D4786A%40GB3NEWS-17322EE02330892C%402449999-16E1BB7301F33BBA%4023?clipid=sfviigwqpbuupozajgzhghsngfdvsgdl_wma-gateway009_1672027343817 2-D]|first=Renee|last=Ricketts Hansen|work=The Grand Island Independent|date=October 8, 1995|access-date=December 26, 2022|archive-date=December 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226043206/https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2:15096F0020D4786A@GB3NEWS-17322EE02330892C@2449999-16E1BB7301E49B1C@22-16E1BB7301E49B1C?clipid=yvjvnhlybehjkqgcvygbfflsaiubrspo_wma-gateway019_1672027200479|url-status=live}}

File:KLKN Microwave Truck.jpg

The search for a studio location continued into November as the company sought an existing site with appropriate satellite visibility to receive programming; new KLKN call letters were given to channel 8, and the Albion replacement facility on channel 24 received the call letters KLKE (as it was located near Elgin).{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91353467/its-beginning-to-look-a-lot-like/|date=November 6, 1995|page=3B|first=Tom|last=Johnson|title=It's beginning to look a lot like remodeling in the media business|newspaper=Lincoln Journal Star|location=Lincoln, Nebraska|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 26, 2022|archive-date=December 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226004711/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91353467/its-beginning-to-look-a-lot-like/|url-status=live}} The launch was further delayed when it was discovered that a {{convert|10|ft|m|adj=on}} section, intended to be installed at the {{convert|190|ft|m|adj=on}} level, was skipped—when the tower had already been built up to {{convert|620|ft|m|sp=us}}.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102713030/klkn-says-tower-error-wont-delay/|date=February 28, 1996|page=6B|first1=Larry|last1=Peirce|first2=Joanie|last2=Cradick|title=KLKN says tower error won't delay sign-on goal|newspaper=Lincoln Journal Star|location=Lincoln, Nebraska|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 26, 2022|archive-date=December 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226004711/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102713030/klkn-says-tower-error-wont-delay/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102713009/tower-delay-pushes-back-klkn-start-up/|date=March 12, 1996|page=1C|title=Tower delay pushes back KLKN start-up|newspaper=Lincoln Journal Star|location=Lincoln, Nebraska|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 26, 2022|archive-date=December 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226004712/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102713009/tower-delay-pushes-back-klkn-start-up/|url-status=live}}

File:KLKN96.jpg

KLKN began broadcasting on March 30, 1996.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115175971/kcan-station-moved-to-lincoln/|date=April 5, 1996|page=3|first=Andrew|last=Micek|title=KCAN station moved to Lincoln|newspaper=The Columbus Telegram|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 26, 2022|archive-date=December 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226041701/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115175971/kcan-station-moved-to-lincoln/|url-status=live}}{{cite book|title=Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1999|year=1999|page=B-48|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1999/B-TV-BC-YB-1999..pdf|access-date=November 20, 2011|archive-date=August 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200830065312/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1999/B-TV-BC-YB-1999..pdf|url-status=live}} On April 1, cable subscribers in Lincoln began viewing KLKN on the Lincoln Cablevision system, but it was not until May 20 that the transmitter facility was activated.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102713166/klkn-now-fully-broadcasting-here/|date=May 24, 1996|page=3D|title=KLKN now fully broadcasting here|newspaper=Lincoln Journal Star|location=Lincoln, Nebraska|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 26, 2022|archive-date=December 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226004711/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102713166/klkn-now-fully-broadcasting-here/|url-status=live}} The station expanded news production modestly in the ensuing years. When it began in 1996, it produced 6 and 10 p.m. news programs with a newsroom staff of 16. By 2000, the staff had grown to 21, and KLKN was airing additional early evening, morning, and midday newscasts.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115176318/klkn-tv-ups-news-presence-with-midday-pr/|date=September 18, 2000|page=5D|first=Jeff|last=Korbelik|title=KLKN-TV ups news presence with midday program|newspaper=Lincoln Journal Star|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 26, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110045512/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115176318/klkn-tv-ups-news-presence-with-midday/|url-status=live}} While ratings comparisons with KOLN/KGIN were difficult given that the latter station serves a much larger area (which for ABC programs is split between NTV and KLKN), within a year, it had achieved 10 percent of the news audience in Lincoln, comparable to the Omaha stations and increasing the share of Lincoln TV viewers watching local news programs originating in Lincoln.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115176525/local-nielsen-ratings-look-encouraging/|date=March 31, 1997|page=5D|first=Tom|last=Johnson|title=Local Nielsen ratings look encouraging|newspaper=Lincoln Journal Star|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 26, 2022|archive-date=December 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226041704/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115176525/local-nielsen-ratings-look-encouraging/|url-status=live}}

KLKN's digital signal signed on August 31, 2002, operating on UHF channel 31 until the end of the station's analog broadcasts on June 12, 2009.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115176699/finally-lets-get-digital-on-friday/|date=June 11, 2009|page=D1|first=Jeff|last=Korbelik|title=Finally, let's get digital on Friday|newspaper=Lincoln Journal Star|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 26, 2022|archive-date=December 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226041705/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115176699/finally-lets-get-digital-on-friday/|url-status=live}} It was the first digital television station in Nebraska.{{cite news|title=KLKN Pioneers Digital TV in Nebraska|url=http://www.klkntv.com/Global/story.asp?S=920710|access-date=November 20, 2011|newspaper=KLKNTV.com|archive-date=May 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120524052005/http://www.klkntv.com/Global/story.asp?S=920710|url-status=live}} However, KLKE was shuttered by Citadel on March 2, 2003, with the company citing the high costs of digital television conversion for the Albion facility.{{cite web |last=Swanson |first=Jeff |date=February 24, 2003 |title=Channel 24 Will Cease Broadcasting |url=https://www.klkntv.com/channel-24-will-cease-broadcasting/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419073611/https://www.klkntv.com/channel-24-will-cease-broadcasting/ |archive-date=April 19, 2023 |access-date=April 19, 2023 |website=KLKN |quote=Roger Moody, vice-president and general manager, cited the prohibitive costs of continued operation of KLKE-TV and the significant investment necessary, which would have been required, to upgrade it to a digital facility as the reasons for the decision.}} After the digital transition, KLKN opted to continue broadcasting on channel 8.{{cite web|url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and the Second Rounds |access-date=March 24, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829004251/http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |archive-date=August 29, 2013 }}

=Standard Media ownership=

After Citadel attempted to sell its television properties in 2000,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102680329/sioux-citys-kcau-tv-three-other/|date=January 26, 2000|page=A1|first=Dave|last=Dreeszen|title=Sioux City's KCAU-TV, three other Citadel stations put up for sale|newspaper=Sioux City Journal|location=Sioux City, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 26, 2022|archive-date=December 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226041707/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102680329/sioux-citys-kcau-tv-three-other/|url-status=live}} and after the 2014 sale of three of the five major Citadel properties to Nexstar Broadcasting Group,{{cite news|last=Malone|first=Michael|title=Nexstar to Acquire Citadel's Iowa Stations for $88 Million|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/495521-Nexstar_to_Acquire_Citadel_s_Iowa_Stations_for_88_Million.php|access-date=September 16, 2013|newspaper=Broadcasting & Cable|date=September 16, 2013|archive-date=September 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921205431/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/495521-Nexstar_to_Acquire_Citadel_s_Iowa_Stations_for_88_Million.php|url-status=live}} Citadel sold its last two ABC affiliates—KLKN and WLNE-TV, serving Providence, Rhode Island—to Standard Media for $83 million. Its leader, former Young Broadcasting and Media General executive Deb McDermott, had begun her career in Lincoln at KOLN.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/standard-media-buying-two-citadel-stations|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=May 16, 2019|first=Lon|last=Lafayette|title=Standard Media Buying Two Citadel Stations for $83M|access-date=April 20, 2023|archive-date=April 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420022739/https://www.nexttv.com/news/standard-media-buying-two-citadel-stations|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/235076/mcdermott-in-the-station-game-with-wlne-klkn/|title=McDermott In The Station Game With WLNE, KLKN|last=Jessell|first=Harry A.|work=TVNewsCheck|publisher=NewsCheckMedia|date=May 16, 2019|access-date=May 16, 2019|archive-date=May 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516190657/https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/235076/mcdermott-in-the-station-game-with-wlne-klkn/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123224926/koln-finalist-in-iris-awards/|date=April 10, 1983|page=6TV|title=KOLN finalist in Iris Awards|newspaper=Sunday Journal and Star|location=Lincoln, Nebraska|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 20, 2023|archive-date=April 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420194850/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123224926/koln-finalist-in-iris-awards/|url-status=live}} The sale was completed on September 5.{{cite web|url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1809932&Service=DT&Form_id=905&Facility_id=11264|title=Consummation Notice|website=Consolidated Database System|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|access-date=September 6, 2019|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110045500/https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101809932&formid=905&fac_num=11264|url-status=live}}

In February 2022, Standard Media's owner, Standard General, announced that KLKN would be sold to Cox Media Group as part of a transaction that would allow Standard General to purchase broadcast group Tegna.{{cite web|url=https://www.northpine.com/blog/2022/02/22/standard-general-to-buy-kare-woi-tv-wqad-klkn-goes-to-cox/|title=Standard General to Buy KARE, WOI-TV, WQAD; KLKN Goes to Cox|last=Ellis|first=Jon|work=NorthPine.com|date=February 22, 2022|access-date=August 27, 2022|archive-date=August 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220828050323/https://www.northpine.com/blog/2022/02/22/standard-general-to-buy-kare-woi-tv-wqad-klkn-goes-to-cox/|url-status=live}} The deal never received FCC approval and was terminated on May 22, 2023.{{Cite news|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/standard-general-tegna-takeover-doomed-201319669.html|agency=Bloomberg|work=Yahoo Finance|title=Standard General's Tegna Takeover Dies After Money Goes|first1=Todd|last1=Shields|first2=Jill R.|last2=Shah|date=May 22, 2023|access-date=May 22, 2023}}

Notable former on-air staff

Thomas Roberts — reporter, 1997–1998{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/lincoln-journal-star-management-shakeup/168673189/|date=August 4, 1997|page=2D|first=Tom|last=Johnson|title=Management shakeup at KLKN-TV merely coincidental|newspaper=Lincoln Journal Star|location=Lincoln, Nebraska|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 23, 2025}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/lincoln-journal-star-new-5-pm-newscast/168673254/|date=September 14, 1998|page=6B|first=Tom|last=Johnson|title=New 5 p.m. newscast coming to Channel 8|newspaper=Lincoln Journal Star|location=Lincoln, Nebraska|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 23, 2025}}

Technical information

=Subchannels=

The station's signal is multiplexed:

class="wikitable" \|+ Subchannels of KLKN{{Cite web\|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KLKN#station\|website=RabbitEars.info\|title=RabbitEars TV Query for KLKN\|access-date=February 6, 2014\|archive-date=February 22, 2014\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222001126/http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KLKN#station\|url-status=live}} ! scope = "col" \| Channel ! scope = "col" \| Res. ! scope = "col" \| Aspect ! scope = "col" \| Short name ! scope = "col" \| Programming
scope = "row" \| 8.1 \| 1080i \|\| rowspan=6\| 16:9 \|\| KLKN-TV \|\| ABC
scope = "row" \| 8.2 \| rowspan=4\| 480i \|\| GRIT \|\| Grit
scope = "row" \| 8.3 \| Mystery \|\| Ion Mystery
scope = "row" \| 8.4 \| Laff \|\| Laff
scope = "row" \| 8.5 \| IONPlus \|\| Ion Plus
scope = "row" \| 8.6 \| 720p \|\| Bounce \|\| Bounce TV

class="wikitable"

|+ Subchannels of KLKN{{Cite web|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KLKN#station|website=RabbitEars.info|title=RabbitEars TV Query for KLKN|access-date=February 6, 2014|archive-date=February 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222001126/http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KLKN#station|url-status=live}}

! scope = "col" | Channel

! scope = "col" | Res.

! scope = "col" | Aspect

! scope = "col" | Short name

! scope = "col" | Programming

scope = "row" | 8.1

| 1080i || rowspan=6| 16:9 || KLKN-TV || ABC

scope = "row" | 8.2

| rowspan=4| 480i || GRIT || Grit

scope = "row" | 8.3

| Mystery || Ion Mystery

scope = "row" | 8.4