KPTM
{{Short description|Television station in Omaha, Nebraska}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox television station
| callsign = KPTM
| city = Omaha, Nebraska
| logo = LOGO KPTM FOX42 solid calls blk-blu.png
| logo_alt = The Fox network logo in black next to a blue numeral 42 in a sans serif with custom cuts. Beneath is the text "K P T M Omaha/Council Bluffs".
| image = KPTM-DT3 2024.svg
| image_size = 160px
| image_alt = The CW network logo with the word "Omaha" above
| branding = {{ubl|Fox 42|My KPTM (42.2)}}
| digital = 26 (UHF)
| virtual = 42
| translators =
| affiliations = {{ubl|42.1: Fox|42.2: MyNetworkTV/Dabl|42.3: The CW|42.4: Comet}}
| owner = Sinclair Broadcast Group
| licensee = KPTM Licensee, LLC
| location = {{ubl|Omaha, Nebraska|Council Bluffs, Iowa}}
| country = United States
| airdate = {{start date and age|1986|4|6|p=y}}
| last_airdate =
| callsign_meaning = Pappas Telecasting of the Midlands, founding owner
| sister_stations = KXVO
| former_callsigns =
| former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|Analog: 42 (UHF, 1986–2009)|Digital: 43 (UHF, 2002–2019)}}
| former_affiliations = Independent (1986–1988)
| erp = 800 kW
| haat = {{convert|475|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| facility_id = 51491
| coordinates = {{coord|41|4|15.9|N|96|13|32.3|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|display=inline, title}}
| licensing_authority = FCC
| website = {{ubl|{{URL|https://fox42kptm.com/}}|{{URL|https://cwomaha.tv/}}}}
}}
KPTM (channel 42) is a television station in Omaha, Nebraska, United States, affiliated with Fox and The CW. It is owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group, which provides certain services to TBD outlet KXVO (channel 15) under a local marketing agreement (LMA) with Mitts Telecasting Company. Both stations share studios on Farnam Street in Omaha, while KPTM's transmitter is located on Pflug Road, south of Gretna and I-80.
KPTM went on air as Omaha's first independent station in 1986. It was built by and named for California-based Pappas Telecasting. KPTM affiliated with Fox in 1988, after Pappas originally sat out the network's launch, and began airing local newscasts in June 1990. After the bankruptcy of Pappas, Titan Broadcast Management acquired the station in 2009, selling most of its broadcasting properties to Sinclair in 2013. While KPTM aired a 9 p.m. newscast for more than 30 years, a major attempt at expansion in the late 1990s was rolled back for economic reasons less than 18 months later, and for the last decade, the news programs were presented by talent outside the Omaha market.
History
=Construction and Pappas ownership=
Pappas Telecasting began conducting community surveys in February 1979 with an eye to establishing a station on ultra high frequency (UHF) channel 15 in Omaha; the company also leased the building at 2615 Farnam Street, recently vacated by KMTV.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123907415/californian-tunes-plan-for-tv-station/|date=February 9, 1979|page=35|first=James|last=Ivey|title=Californian Tunes Plan for TV Station|newspaper=Omaha World-Herald|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=May 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502074005/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123907415/californian-tunes-plan-for-tv-station/|url-status=live}} Competition grew crowded for channel 15, with three groups in the running by June 1979{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123907444/nebaskans-request-tv-license/|date=June 21, 1979|page=53|title=Nebaskans Request TV License|newspaper=Omaha World-Herald|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=May 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502074005/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123907444/nebaskans-request-tv-license/|url-status=live}} and a total of eight by early November, when Pappas switched from seeking channel 15 to channel 42.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123907471/competition-for-uhf-station-spreading-to/|date=November 8, 1979|page=63|title=Competition for UHF Station Spreading to 2 Channels|first=Jeff|last=Jordan|newspaper=Omaha World-Herald|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=May 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502074038/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123907471/competition-for-uhf-station-spreading/|url-status=live}} There was only one other group that had filed for channel 42: Christian Broadcasting of the Midlands, which in March filed an application proposing a Christian television station.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123907379/plans-proceed-for-christian-tv-station-i/|date=April 17, 1979|page=23|first=Daniel|last=Cattau|title=Plans Proceed for Christian TV Station in City|newspaper=Omaha World-Herald|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=May 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502074006/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123907379/plans-proceed-for-christian-tv-station/|url-status=live}}
Pappas was selected over Christian Broadcasting by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for a construction permit in 1984 and announced its plans to put channel 42 on the air by October 1985.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123907521/pappas-tv-firm-plans-broadcasts/|date=July 19, 1984|page=67|agency=Associated Press|title=Pappas TV Firm Plans Broadcasts|newspaper=Omaha World-Herald|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=May 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502074005/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123907521/pappas-tv-firm-plans-broadcasts/|url-status=live}} However, the battle between the two applicants continued because Christian Broadcasting of the Midlands appealed the FCC's decision to the commission's review board and then to the full FCC.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123907548/future-potential-seen-needs-hamper-reli/|date=November 9, 1985|page=7|first=Cindy|last=Gonzalez|title=Future Potential Seen: Needs Hamper Religion Channel|newspaper=Omaha World-Herald|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=May 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502074007/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123907548/future-potential-seen-needs-hamper/|url-status=live}}
After Christian lost, construction began on KPTM (taking its name from the owner, Pappas Telecasting of the Midlands). A tower was built in Sarpy County, Nebraska, while a former insurance office at 4625 Farnam was renovated for the TV station.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123907599/kptm-will-start-broadcasting-in-april/|date=February 22, 1986|page=45|first=Steve|last=Millburg|title=KPTM Will Start Broadcasting in April|newspaper=Omaha World-Herald|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=May 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502074006/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123907599/kptm-will-start-broadcasting-in-april/|url-status=live}} Prior to the launch of KPTM, Omaha had no independent stations. Only KBGT-TV "Big 8", which primarily served the central and western part of the state, operated as an independent in Nebraska, and two independent stations operated in Iowa.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123907570/battle-for-channel-42-nearing-an-end/|date=August 17, 1985|page=7|first=Cindy|last=Gonzalez|title=Battle for Channel 42 Nearing an End|newspaper=Omaha World-Herald|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=May 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502074006/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123907570/battle-for-channel-42-nearing-an-end/|url-status=live}}
KPTM began broadcasting on April 6, 1986.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123907660/television-station-kptm-ready-to-go-on-a/|date=April 4, 1986|page=44|first=Doug|last=Gollim|title=Television Station KPTM Ready to Go on Air Sunday|newspaper=Omaha World-Herald|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=May 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502074007/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123907660/television-station-kptm-ready-to-go-on/|url-status=live}} Even though it was the only non-network station in Omaha, it refused to join the fledgling Fox network at its launch that October. Doing so meant KPTM would have had to carry Fox's first and initially only offering, The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers, opposite The Tonight Show. At the time, The Tonight Show was hosted by Johnny Carson, a native of nearby Corning, Iowa, who spent his youth in Norfolk, Nebraska, and had begun his career at Omaha's WOW-TV in the early 1950s. Station manager Gary Nielsen told the Lincoln Journal Star, "Why would you program Joan Rivers in Johnny Carson's hometown?"{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123907693/omahas-channel-42-ties-with-chicagos-w/|date=September 28, 1986|page=1TV, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123907700/media/ 18TV]|first=L. Kent|last=Wolgamott|title=Omaha's Channel 42 ties with Chicago's WGN: KPTM rated No. 1 independent stations|newspaper=The Lincoln Star|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=May 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502074007/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123907693/omahas-channel-42-ties-with-chicagos/|url-status=live}} In the July 1986 Arbitron ratings, KPTM was the highest-rated independent station in the country in prime time and the third-highest in total-day audience share.{{r|Linc860928}}
In September 1988, the three Pappas independents—KPTM; KMPH-TV in Fresno, California; and WHNS in Asheville, North Carolina—joined Fox.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123907753/fox-programs-to-debut-here-over-kptm-nex/|date=August 28, 1988|page=1TV|first=L. Kent|last=Wolgamott|title=Fox programs to debut here over KPTM next weekend|newspaper=Lincoln Journal Star|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=May 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502074008/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123907753/fox-programs-to-debut-here-over-kptm/|url-status=live}} Pappas expanded its programming in the Omaha market when it began operating the new KXVO (channel 15) in 1995; the station, owned by Cocola Broadcasting, was an affiliate of The WB.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123908036/changes-afoot-at-kmtv/|date=May 13, 1995|page=59|first=Jim|last=Minge|title=Changes Afoot At KMTV|newspaper=Omaha World-Herald|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=May 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502074045/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123908036/changes-afoot-at-kmtv/|url-status=live}}
=Titan and Sinclair ownership=
Pappas Telecasting filed for bankruptcy in May 2008.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123908303/kptm-kxvo-to-stay-on-air/|date=May 12, 2008|page=2D|first=Virgil|last=Larson|title=KPTM, KXVO to stay on air|newspaper=Omaha World-Herald|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=May 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502074008/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123908303/kptm-kxvo-to-stay-on-air/|url-status=live}} Several Pappas stations, including KPTM and its local marketing agreement to program KXVO, were sold to Titan Broadcast Management in 2009.{{cite news|url=http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2009/01/16/daily.11/|title=New World Gets Pappas TVs for $260M|date=January 16, 2009|work=TVnewsday|access-date=January 18, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730080517/http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2009/01/16/daily.11/}} During this time, co-owned KCWL-TV in Lincoln was converted to an in-market Fox affiliate as KFXL-TV.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123908408/station-switches-to-fox/|date=June 5, 2009|page=F1|first=Jeff|last=Korbelik|title=Station switches to Fox|newspaper=Lincoln Journal Star|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=May 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502074008/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123908408/station-switches-to-fox/|url-status=live}} Cable carriage of KPTM's high-definition feed in Lincoln was discontinued in 2012 in favor of KFXL-TV, though KPTM continued to be offered in standard definition.{{cite web|last=Korbelik|first=Jeff|work=Lincoln Journal Star|date=August 6, 2012|title=Time Warner drops KPTM's high-def channel|url=http://journalstar.com/entertainment/small-screen/television-and-radio/jeff-korbelik-time-warner-drops-kptm-s-high-def-channel/article_54dc4279-665a-5b47-bd60-ba2038211908.html|access-date=August 7, 2012|archive-date=August 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120808023223/http://journalstar.com/entertainment/small-screen/television-and-radio/jeff-korbelik-time-warner-drops-kptm-s-high-def-channel/article_54dc4279-665a-5b47-bd60-ba2038211908.html|url-status=live}}
Also in 2009, the station completed its conversion to digital television on June 12.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123908702/june-6-sic-is-the-new-feb-17except-w/|date=February 7, 2009|pages=1E, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123908710/digital-change-threw-a-monkey-wrench/ 2E]|first=Bryan|last=Redemske|title=June 6 [sic] is the new Feb. 17—except where it isn't|newspaper=Omaha World-Herald|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=May 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502074510/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123908702/june-6-sic-is-the-new-feb/|url-status=live}} The station's digital transmissions remained on channel 43, using virtual channel 42,{{Cite web |date=May 23, 2006 |title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and Second Rounds |url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |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 |access-date=August 29, 2021 |publisher=Federal Communications Commission}} until KPTM relocated its signal from channel 43 to channel 26 on June 2, 2019, as a result of the 2016 United States wireless spectrum auction.{{Cite web|url=http://data.fcc.gov/download/incentive-auctions/Transition_Files/Phase_Assignment_Closing_PN.csv|title=FCC TV Spectrum Phase Assignment Table|format=CSV|website=Federal Communications Commission|date=April 13, 2017|access-date=April 17, 2017|archive-date=April 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170417160749/http://data.fcc.gov/download/incentive-auctions/Transition_Files/Phase_Assignment_Closing_PN.csv|url-status=live}}
Titan TV Broadcast Group announced the sale of most of its stations, including KPTM, to the Sinclair Broadcast Group on June 3, 2013; the purchase includes the local marketing agreement with KXVO,{{cite news|title=Sinclair Buys 6 Titan Television Stations|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/67978/sinclair-buys-6-titan-television-stations|access-date=June 4, 2013|newspaper=TVNewsCheck|date=June 3, 2013|archive-date=September 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921054920/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/67978/sinclair-buys-6-titan-television-stations|url-status=live}} which remained under Mitts Telecasting LLC ownership after the sale. Sinclair announced the closing of the sale on October 3.{{cite press release|url=http://sbgi.net/site_mgr/temp/Titan%20close.pdf |title=Sinclair Broadcast Group Closes on Acquisition of the Titan Stations |author=Sinclair Broadcast Group |access-date=October 3, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004215829/http://sbgi.net/site_mgr/temp/Titan%20close.pdf |archive-date=October 4, 2013 }}
News operation
=Under Pappas=
At the end of 1989, new KPTM general manager Hal Protter announced that the station would debut a weeknight 9 p.m. newscast in 1990.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123907818/kptms-next-step-is-9-pm-newscast/|date=December 30, 1989|page=51|first=Jeff|last=Bahr|title=KPTM's 'Next Step' Is 9 p.m. Newscast|newspaper=Omaha World-Herald|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=May 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502074509/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123907818/kptms-next-step-is-9-pm-newscast/|url-status=live}} Protter was familiar with news on independent stations, having supervised newsrooms at KPLR-TV in St. Louis, KRBK-TV in Sacramento, and WVTV in Milwaukee. On June 14, 1990, the Nine O'Clock Nightly News debuted as a half-hour program;{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123907860/kptm-news-follows-proven-formula/|date=June 9, 1990|page=65|first=Jeff|last=Bahr|title=KPTM News Follows Proven Formula|newspaper=Omaha World-Herald|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=May 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502074509/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123907860/kptm-news-follows-proven-formula/|url-status=live}} the newscast title had previously been used by Protter at WVTV.{{r|Omah891230}} The month before, the station had aired its first live news program when it broadcast cut-ins of Nebraska election returns into its prime time programming.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123907925/primary-coverage-is-first-live-news-for/|date=May 19, 1990|page=12|first=Jeff|last=Bahr|title=Primary Coverage Is First Live News for Channel 42|newspaper=Omaha World-Herald|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=May 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502074535/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123907925/primary-coverage-is-first-live-news-for/|url-status=live}} Fox took interest in the startup newsroom in Omaha as a model for Fox stations in smaller markets seeking to add newscasts.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36532065/kptm-adding-news-at-9-pm-next-month/|date=May 30, 1990|page=15|title=KPTM adding news at 9 p.m. next month|newspaper=Lincoln Journal|first=L. Kent|last=Wolgamott|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=May 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502074510/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36532065/kptm-adding-news-at-9-pm-next-month/|url-status=live}} The half-hour newscast expanded to an hour in October 1995, a change that had been planned for several years.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123908067/world-herald-kptm-reach-agreement/|date=October 3, 1995|page=14|title=World-Herald, KPTM Reach Agreement|newspaper=Omaha World-Herald|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=May 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502074510/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123908067/world-herald-kptm-reach-agreement/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123908572/kptm-expands-nightly-news/|date=December 26, 1992|page=43|first=Jeff|last=Bahr|title=KPTM Expands Nightly News|newspaper=Omaha World-Herald|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=May 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502074511/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123908572/kptm-expands-nightly-news/|url-status=live}}
The KPTM news department made plans for expansion in 1998 with the launch of a {{frac|3|1|2}}-hour morning newscast, Good Day, as well as an 11 a.m. newscast. Pappas invested $1.5 million in new equipment and a new news set and doubled the news staffing. The previous set was then shipped to the Pappas-owned Nebraska Television Network (NTV) in Kearney.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123907788/channel-42-bringing-big-changes-to-newsr/|date=September 7, 1998|page=2C|first=Tom|last=Johnson|title=Channel 42 bringing big changes to newsroom|newspaper=Lincoln Journal Star|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=May 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502074511/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123907788/channel-42-bringing-big-changes-to/|url-status=live}} However, the news expansions were rolled back for economic reasons in March 2000, resulting in 28 employees being laid off.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123908174/kptms-news-cutbacks-force-big-changes/|date=March 20, 2000|page=4B|first=Jeff|last=Korbelik|title=KPTM's news cutbacks force big changes|newspaper=Lincoln Journal Star|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=May 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502074511/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123908174/kptms-news-cutbacks-force-big-changes/|url-status=live}} Generally, KPTM's newscasts had a higher proportion of national news stories than their competitors.{{r|OWH100708}} Another expansion was attempted with a 4 p.m. newscast in 2007,{{Cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/omaha-stakes-83880|work=Broadcasting & Cable|first=Michael|last=Malone|date=October 26, 2007|title=Omaha Stakes|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=May 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525152146/https://www.nexttv.com/news/omaha-stakes-83880|url-status=live}} but this was canceled in 2009 as the station laid off 22 staffers due to the Great Recession.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123908624/kptm-cuts-jobs-ends-4-pm-news/|date=April 4, 2009|page=7A|first=John|last=Keenan|title=KPTM cuts jobs, ends 4 p.m. news|newspaper=Omaha World-Herald|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=May 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502074511/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123908624/kptm-cuts-jobs-ends-4-pm-news/|url-status=live}}
=Outsourcing and shutdown=
On July 6, 2010, station management announced it would cease presenting the newscast in Omaha and outsource production of the 9 p.m. newscast to the Independent News Network of Davenport, Iowa, starting September 6. The move allowed KPTM to convert its newscasts to high-definition production but resulted in layoffs in Omaha.{{Cite news|first=John|last=Pitcher|date=July 8, 2010|work=Omaha World-Herald|title=KPTM outsources newscast to Iowa|url=http://www.omaha.com/article/20100708/LIVING/707089915|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120905025349/http://www.omaha.com/article/20100708/LIVING/707089915 |archive-date=September 5, 2012|url-status=dead}} In a 2011 interview with Broadcasting & Cable, general manager Jeff Miller credited the outsourcing to INN with allowing KPTM to "stay in the news game".{{Cite news|date=September 4, 2011|first=Michael|last=Malone|work=Broadcasting & Cable|title=Market Eye: Big Two in Big Ten Market|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/market-eye-big-two-big-ten-market-112403|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=October 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016234719/https://www.nexttv.com/news/market-eye-big-two-big-ten-market-112403|url-status=live}}
By July 2013, after the announcement that KPTM would be acquired by Sinclair, the station announced it would discontinue its agreement with INN and return production of the 9 p.m. in-house, with station management citing viewers' dislike of the outsourced production model. At the outset, the "On the Street" setup would be retained, but the newscasts would be produced with the assistance of KPTM's Fresno sister station, KMPH-TV.{{Cite web|website=Nebraska Broadcasters Association|url=http://www.ne-ba.org/news_and_events-news.asp?id=283|title=Fox 42 News at Nine Revamps|date=July 2013|access-date=July 4, 2013|archive-date=August 17, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130817191653/http://www.ne-ba.org/news_and_events-news.asp?id=283|url-status=dead}} As late as 2022, the Fresno-produced news program was described by its general manager as "a nice looking, locally flavored, profitable newscast".{{cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/features/local-news-close-up-omaha-stakes|date=July 15, 2022|title=Local News Close-Up: Omaha Stakes|work=Broadcasting & Cable|first=Michael|last=Malone|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=March 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328054040/https://www.nexttv.com/features/local-news-close-up-omaha-stakes|url-status=live}}
Sinclair shut down the Fresno-produced KPTM newscast on May 12, 2023, making Omaha one of five markets where all newscasts on the Sinclair-owned station were discontinued in favor of The National Desk.{{Cite news|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/business/article/sinclair-shutters-five-news-markets-we-just-turned-off-the-lights-for-many/|title=Sinclair Shutters Five News Markets: 'We Just Turned Off The Lights For Many'|date=May 1, 2023|work=TVNewsCheck|first=Michael|last=Stahl|access-date=May 1, 2023|archive-date=May 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502074516/https://tvnewscheck.com/business/article/sinclair-shutters-five-news-markets-we-just-turned-off-the-lights-for-many/|url-status=live}}
Technical information
=Subchannels=
The station's signal is multiplexed:
| class="wikitable"
|+ Subchannels of KPTM{{Cite news|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KPTM#station|website=RabbitEars|title=TV Query for KPTM|access-date=September 21, 2013|archive-date=September 25, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925053359/http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KPTM#station|url-status=live}} ! scope = "col" |Channel ! scope = "col" |Res. ! scope = "col" |Aspect ! scope = "col" |Short name ! scope = "col" |Programming | |||
| scope = "row" | 42.1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| scope = "row" | 42.2
| 480i || MyTV || MyNetworkTV & Dabl | |||
| scope = "row" | 42.3
| 720p || CW || The CW | |||
| scope = "row" | 42.4
| 480i || Comet || Comet | |||
| style="background-color:#DFEBF6; border-top: 2px solid #003399;"
! scope="row" | 15.1 | 480i | 16:9 | TBD | TBD (KXVO) |
{{legend|#DFEBF6|Broadcast on behalf of another station}}
The main subchannel of KXVO, with programming from The CW, became the 42.3 subchannel of KPTM on September 14, 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://fox42kptm.com/news/local/how-to-rescan-your-tv-to-get-channels-with-an-antenna-09-15-2021|title=How to rescan your TV to get channels with an antenna|date=September 14, 2021|website=KPTM|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=April 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411155131/https://fox42kptm.com/news/local/how-to-rescan-your-tv-to-get-channels-with-an-antenna-09-15-2021|url-status=live}} KXVO then began broadcasting programming from the Sinclair-owned diginet TBD, converting to ATSC 3.0 broadcasting in April 2022.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/omaha-stations-start-switch-to-nextgen-tv-broadcasting|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=April 20, 2022|first=Jon|last=Lafayette|title=Omaha Stations Start Switch to NextGen TV Broadcasting|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-date=May 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220523021407/https://www.nexttv.com/news/omaha-stations-start-switch-to-nextgen-tv-broadcasting|url-status=live}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://fox42kptm.com/ Official website]
{{Omaha TV}}
{{Nebraska TV}}
{{TV Stations Iowa}}
{{Missouri TV}}
{{SBGI}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kptm}}
Category:1986 establishments in Nebraska
Category:Comet (TV network) affiliates
Category:Fox Broadcasting Company affiliates
Category:MyNetworkTV affiliates
Category:Sinclair Broadcast Group
Category:Television channels and stations established in 1986