KRTV#Call sign history

After the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) opened applications for new television stations in 1952, it received three in Great Falls, two of them for channel 3 (and a third for channel 5, which became KFBB-TV). However, neither channel 3 proposal came to fruition. The Z-Bar Network filed for four stations across the state but abandoned its channel 3 application for Great Falls,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102313224/state-radio-network-drops-idea-of/|date=April 3, 1953|page=5|agency=United Press|title=State Radio Network Drops Idea of Mountain TV Setup|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|location=Great Falls, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 24, 2022|archive-date=May 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525055531/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102313224/state-radio-network-drops-idea-of/|url-status=live}} while the competing applicant, Montana Farmer (owner of station KMON), withdrew its proposal in January 1954.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102313260/tv-permit-surrendered/|date=January 30, 1954|page=7|title=TV Permit Surrendered|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|location=Great Falls, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 24, 2022|archive-date=May 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525055532/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102313260/tv-permit-surrendered/|url-status=live}}

Interest in the second VHF channel for Great Falls returned on April 25, 1956, when the Cascade Broadcasting Company, owned by Robert and Francis Laird of San Luis Obispo, California, filed for channel 3.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102313286/firm-applies-for-2nd-tv-outlet-here/|date=May 2, 1956|page=1|title=Firm Applies For 2nd TV Outlet Here|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|location=Great Falls, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 24, 2022|archive-date=May 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525055532/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102313286/firm-applies-for-2nd-tv-outlet-here/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url= https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=85391 |title= History Cards for KRTV|publisher=Federal Communications Commission}} (Guide to reading History Cards) The Lairds were granted a construction permit on May 29, 1957.{{r|hc}} Dan Snyder was named manager, and construction began on the station's studios and transmitter facility on a hill overlooking Black Eagle. Plans were announced to go on the air as an independent station using local and filmed programs.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102313314/krtv-great-falls-second-television/|date=April 29, 1958|page=1|title=KRTV, Great Falls' Second Television Station, to Begin Operations in June|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|location=Great Falls, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 24, 2022|archive-date=May 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525055532/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102313314/krtv-great-falls-second-television/|url-status=live}}

KRTV began broadcasting on June 27, 1958, at 6 p.m.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102313369/krtv-starts-telecasting-here-friday/|date=June 24, 1958|page=1|title=KRTV Starts Telecasting Here Friday|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|location=Great Falls, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 24, 2022|archive-date=May 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525055533/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102313369/krtv-starts-telecasting-here-friday/|url-status=live}} The station would have an inauspicious start. A film projector failed, and once it was replaced, bigger trouble emerged. A storm with reported wind gusts of up to {{convert|70|mph|km/h}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102458450/strong-winds-whip-through-great-falls-a/|date=June 28, 1958|page=1|title=Strong Winds Whip Through Great Falls, Across Parts of State|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|location=Great Falls, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 24, 2022|archive-date=May 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525055533/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102458450/strong-winds-whip-through-great-falls/|url-status=live}} moved through Great Falls that night and severely damaged the station's antenna.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102313408/new-tv-station-on-off-air-in-same-day/|date=June 29, 1958|page=9|title=New TV Station On, Off Air in Same Day; Delay of Month Seen Before Resumption|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|location=Great Falls, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 24, 2022|archive-date=May 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525055533/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102313408/new-tv-station-on-off-air-in-same-day/|url-status=live}} It became apparent that viewers would have to wait a while for KRTV to get the antenna repaired at the factory and reinstalled. The station placed a "short, short story" in the Great Falls Tribune about its plight, noting "We shall return! (P.S. Don't ask us when!)"{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102313380/the-saga-of-the-big-wind-or-what/|date=July 1, 1958|page=5|title=The Saga of the Big Wind, or What Happened to Channel 3|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|location=Great Falls, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 24, 2022|archive-date=May 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525055534/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102313380/the-saga-of-the-big-wind-or-what/|url-status=live}} While the station was silent, the Lairds filed to sell the station outright to Snyder.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102313361/krtv-asks-channel-be-reassigned/|date=September 13, 1958|page=7|agency=Associated Press|title=KRTV Asks Channel Be Reassigned|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|location=Great Falls, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 24, 2022|archive-date=May 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525055534/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102313361/krtv-asks-channel-be-reassigned/|url-status=live}} The station returned to the air on the afternoon of October 5. That day, an ad in the Tribune declared they'd be on the air "if the wind doesn't topple our tower again".{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102313472/were-on-the-air-today/|date=October 5, 1958|page=14|title=We're on the air TODAY|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|location=Great Falls, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 24, 2022|archive-date=May 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525055534/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102313472/were-on-the-air-today/|url-status=live}}

Two years later, Paul Crain, owner of KUDI (1450 AM), bought a 26 percent stake in KRTV.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102313499/kudi-head-buys-stock-in-krtv/|date=May 17, 1960|page=20|title=KUDI Head Buys Stock In KRTV|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|location=Great Falls, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 24, 2022|archive-date=May 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525055534/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102313499/kudi-head-buys-stock-in-krtv/|url-status=live}} It secured a full-time network affiliation with NBC later that year; the month before, in time for the World Series, Western Microwave completed a second microwave path to carry network programs from Salt Lake City to Great Falls.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102459941/it-was-a-tough-struggle-but-tv-won-yan/|date=October 6, 1960|page=1|title=It Was a Tough Struggle, But TV Won, Yanks Lost|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|location=Great Falls, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 24, 2022}}

In 1962, an addition to the studio building was completed that replaced the old studio with a new, larger space and reutilized the old one to house a new color-capable transmitter, permitting the station to increase its effective radiated power from 600 to 30,000 watts and air network programs in color;{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102313548/krtv-power-increased-fifty-fold/|date=February 13, 1962|page=9|title=KRTV Power Increased Fifty-Fold|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|location=Great Falls, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 24, 2022|archive-date=May 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525055634/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102313548/krtv-power-increased-fifty-fold/|url-status=live}} local color productions began five years later, making KRTV the state's first "full color" station.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102313620/krtv-states-first-all-color-tv-station/|date=January 17, 1967|page=48|title=KRTV State's First All-Color TV Station|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|location=Great Falls, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 24, 2022|archive-date=May 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525055634/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102313620/krtv-states-first-all-color-tv-station/|url-status=live}} Crain died of a heart attack in 1964.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102313581/broadcaster-p-crain-dies/|date=May 1, 1964|page=1|title=Broadcaster P. Crain Dies|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|location=Great Falls, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 24, 2022|archive-date=May 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525055635/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102313581/broadcaster-p-crain-dies/|url-status=live}}

In February 1968, Harriscope, Inc., owner of KFBB-TV, opted to affiliate all of its stations with ABC. As a result, KRTV became the primary affiliate for CBS and NBC in the city.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102336536/local-tv-stations-change-programs/|date=February 4, 1968|page=10|title=Local TV Stations Change Programs|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|location=Great Falls, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 24, 2022|archive-date=May 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525055635/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102336536/local-tv-stations-change-programs/|url-status=live}}

Snyder reached a deal in October 1968 to sell KRTV to Garryowen Cascade TV, a company owned by Joe Sample. Sample already owned KOOK-TV in Billings and KXLF-TV in Butte.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102313650/snyder-to-sell-krtv-to-garryowen/|date=October 2, 1968|page=1|title=Snyder to Sell KRTV to Garryowen|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|location=Great Falls, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 24, 2022|archive-date=May 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525055636/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102313650/snyder-to-sell-krtv-to-garryowen/|url-status=live}} The acquisition gained FCC approval on a 4–3 vote over concerns that Sample would have an outsized influence on Montana television; one commissioner, Kenneth A. Cox, voted for the deal "reluctantly" because concerns over maintaining television service in rural areas outweighed economic concentration questions for him.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102313673/krtv-sale-approved-by-fcc-vote-of-4-3/|date=March 13, 1969|page=10|title=KRTV Sale Approved By FCC Vote of 4-3|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|location=Great Falls, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 24, 2022|archive-date=May 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525055636/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102313673/krtv-sale-approved-by-fcc-vote-of-4-3/|url-status=live}}

While no national network affiliations changed, the KRTV sale to Sample set off a realignment in Montana television. KOOK-TV and KXLF-TV, along with KFBB-TV, were members of the Skyline Network, which provided its members with a microwave connection to Salt Lake City for network programs and also was an advertising sales representative. Affiliation and ownership changes at Skyline's outlets, which also included stations in Idaho, led to the network being dissolved on September 30, 1969.{{cite news|title=Stations' changes bring end to Skyline network|id={{ProQuest|1014522752}}|url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1969/1969-09-29-BC.pdf|access-date=September 29, 2015|work=Broadcasting|date=September 29, 1969|page=46|archive-date=September 27, 2015|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20150927162340/http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1969/1969-09-29-BC.pdf|url-status=live}} This resulted in the establishment of the Montana Television Network with KOOK-TV, KRTV, and KXLF-TV.{{cite news|id={{ProQuest|1016855989}}|title=Three outlets set up Montana TV network|url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1969/1969-10-27-BC.pdf|access-date=September 29, 2015|work=Broadcasting|date=October 27, 1969|pages=54–55|archive-date=September 27, 2015|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20150927162358/http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1969/1969-10-27-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}

Great Falls became a link of outsized importance within the new MTN setup. At KRTV's studio site, feeds from across the state could be easily received. Thus, even though MTN was nominally based in Billings, Great Falls was chosen as the hub city when MTN began the production of a local-regional hybrid newscast in 1971.{{cite news|work=The Great Falls Tribune|first=Charles S.|last=Johnson|date=December 29, 1985|title=In Great Falls: Ratings flip-flop with loss of Coghlan, move to Billings|pages=1-E, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36701624/ 4-E]|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36701536/|access-date=October 21, 2021|archive-date=October 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021015511/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36701536/in-great-falls-ratings-flip-flop-with/|url-status=live}} The MTN News consisted of 15 minutes of network news from Great Falls and another 15 minutes locally produced at each station. Today in Montana, a local talk show hosted by Norma Ashby since 1962, also began to air across the network.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87418963/old-show-gets-new-name/|date=January 7, 1986|page=4-A|title=Old show gets new name|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|location=Great Falls, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 24, 2022|archive-date=October 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021182147/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87418963/old-show-gets-new-name/|url-status=live}} In 1973, a new studio facility was completed, and KRTV was upgraded to the maximum power of 100,000 watts.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102313707/new-krtv-studio-weather-halts-building/|date=February 20, 1972|page=96|title=New KRTV Studio: Weather Halts Building|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|location=Great Falls, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 24, 2022|archive-date=May 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525055637/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102313707/new-krtv-studio-weather-halts-building/|url-status=live}}

In 1983, a 'burned out' Sample announced he would sell the Montana Television Network to George Lilly.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87418722/|first=Mark|last=Ragan|work=The Billings Gazette|date=October 12, 1983|title='Burned out' owner sells TV stations|pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87418749/ 12A]|access-date=October 21, 2021|archive-date=October 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021015522/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87418722/burned-out-owner-sells-tv-stations/|url-status=live}} One of Sample's last acts as owner of the Montana Television Network was to move the production of the MTN News from Great Falls to Billings in hopes of improving local news ratings in the state's largest city. Sample had concluded that viewers in Billings would rather hear about "the fender bender in Billings" than larger stories from elsewhere in the state.{{r|burned}} Further, the order of the newscast was changed to put the local inserts first.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87498022/|title=Former KFBB-TV newsman named as new MTN anchor|work=Great Falls Tribune|date=September 25, 1984|page=7-A|access-date=October 21, 2021|archive-date=October 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021182225/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87498022/former-kfbb-tv-newsman-named-as-new-mtn/|url-status=live}} Format changes were also implemented for Today in Montana; Norma Ashby left the show after 23 years in 1985, and more news and weather from Billings was added, leading to its renaming as The Noon News in 1986.{{r|Grea860107}}

The change had opposite effects in the two largest television markets in Montana. At the same time as the ownership and production changes, Ed Coghlan, who had been the Great Falls-based main anchor for MTN News, left for a job at KCOP-TV in Los Angeles and proceeded to hire away MTN's weather and sports presenters.{{r|former}} This caused KRTV's news ratings to swoon; after several years with KRTV on top, KFBB-TV took the lead in the market and was able to market itself as a more local newscast than its competitor.{{r|fallsflop}}

KRTV dropped NBC in 1984, when the entire MTN network switched to exclusive CBS affiliation.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87466486/|title=Butte to get full-time CBS|agency=Associated Press|date=May 6, 1984|work=The Montana Standard|page=26|access-date=October 21, 2021|archive-date=October 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021015629/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87466486/butte-to-get-full-time-cbs/|url-status=live}} KRTV and KFBB-TV continued to air a limited number of NBC shows until the third station for Great Falls, KTGF (channel 16), started broadcasting in September 1986.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102460300/new-television-station-will-add-to-adver/|date=September 21, 1986|page=2D|first=Jay|last=Goley|title=New television station will add to advertising competition|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|location=Great Falls, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 24, 2022|archive-date=May 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525055638/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102460300/new-television-station-will-add-to/|url-status=live}}

{{See also|2013 Emergency Alert System hijackings}}

In 1986, Evening Post Industries purchased the MTN stations outside of Billings, which Lilly continued to own for another eight years.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87418979/|page=7-A|work=The Billings Gazette|title=3 Montana TV stations to be sold|date=September 20, 1986|access-date=October 21, 2021|archive-date=October 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021015513/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87418979/3-montana-tv-stations-to-be-sold/|url-status=live}} Beginning in early 1987, first at 5:30 and then at 10 p.m., KRTV began originating its own full-length newscasts as the hybrid setup was wound down.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37215390/local-coverage-attracts-news-watchers/|date=April 5, 1987|page=1G|first=Peter|last=Johnson|title=Local coverage attracts news watchers|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|location=Great Falls, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 24, 2022|archive-date=May 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525055640/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37215390/local-coverage-attracts-news-watchers/|url-status=live}} By the end of the decade, KRTV had not only recovered but opened a wide lead over KFBB-TV in the Great Falls news ratings,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102465020/the-changing-face-of-tv-news-kfbb-and/|date=October 11, 1998|page=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102465052/ 2B]|first=Carol|last=Bradley|title=The changing face of TV news: KFBB and KRTV struggle with death and departure of talented anchors|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|location=Great Falls, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 24, 2022|archive-date=May 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525055639/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102465020/the-changing-face-of-tv-news-kfbb-and/|url-status=live}} a change attributed to the return of KRTV founding employee and later MTN executive Don Bradley from a short-lived attempt at station ownership in Helena to run the Great Falls station from 1988 to 1994.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102466030/after-40-years-in-broadcasting-krtvs-d/|date=December 18, 1994|page=1G, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102466066/bradley-signing-off-at-krtv/ 2G]|first=James E.|last=Larcombe|title=After 40 years in broadcasting, KRTV's Don Bradley is signing off|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|location=Great Falls, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 24, 2022|archive-date=May 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525055640/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102466030/after-40-years-in-broadcasting-krtvs/|url-status=live}}

In 2005, KRTV took over the operations of KXLH-LP in Helena, which had previously been a semi-satellite of KXLF-TV in Butte. KXLF-TV had been rebroadcast to Helena since 1969, when a translator of the Mining City station was established.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102503828/butte-sends-tv-signal-to-helena/|date=February 16, 1969|page=22|title=Butte Sends TV Signal To Helena|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 25, 2022|archive-date=May 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525055641/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102503828/butte-sends-tv-signal-to-helena/|url-status=live}} In 2010, KXLH-LD started airing local newscasts for the Helena area produced from Great Falls using local reporters, separate anchor talent, and KRTV's weather and sports presenters. The newscasts quickly attracted considerable viewership.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96559881/ratings-war-helena-style-local-tv/|date=April 22, 2012|page=1E, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96559920/ 3E]|first=Butch|last=Larcombe|title=Ratings war, Helena style: Local TV stations beef up their news coverage, battle to gain viewers|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182529/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96559881/ratings-war-helena-style-local-tv/|url-status=live}}

On February 11, 2013, at approximately 2:33 p.m. MST, an unknown hacker reportedly gained access to the station's Emergency Alert System (EAS) encoder and sent out a Local Area Emergency, explaining in a pitch-altered voice that "the bodies of the dead are rising from their graves and attacking the living" and that the bodies were considered "extremely dangerous", apparently referencing The Walking Dead. The voice also asked viewers to tune to 920 AM—a frequency unused by any Great Falls station—for further information after the station ended operations.{{cite web|url=http://www.mediaite.com/tv/local-montana-station-breaks-into-programming-with-emergency-zombie-apocalypse-alert/|title=Local Station Breaks Into Programming With Emergency Zombie Apocalypse Alert|last=Howerton|first=Jason|date=February 11, 2013|publisher=Mediaite|access-date=February 12, 2013|archive-date=May 24, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524190820/http://www.mediaite.com/tv/local-montana-station-breaks-into-programming-with-emergency-zombie-apocalypse-alert/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Paymer|first=Alan|title=4 channels up north, plus 1 in the OC, hacked with notice of zombies|url=http://ocregister.com/news/entertainment/2013/05/4-channels-plus-one-in-oc-hacked-with-notice-of-zombies.html|work=Orange County Register|access-date=June 11, 2013|date=February 12, 2013}}{{Dead link|date=February 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Within minutes, station staff informed the public of the system intrusion and that there was no emergency.{{cite news|url=http://www.krtv.com/news/bogus-emergency-alert-message-transmitted/|title=Bogus emergency alert message transmitted|date=February 11, 2013|publisher=KRTV|access-date=February 12, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130213234858/http://www.krtv.com/news/bogus-emergency-alert-message-transmitted/|archive-date=February 13, 2013}}{{cite web|last=Highsmith|first=Aisha|title=A Powerful Prankster Could Become One of the Jailing Dead|url=http://www.wnem.com/news/entertainment/powerful-prankster-could-become-jailing-dead.html|work=WNEM-TV|access-date=May 9, 2013|date=February 11, 2013|archive-date=May 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525055641/https://www.wnem.com/news/entertainment/powerful-prankster-could-become-jailing-dead.html|url-status=live}} A similar incident that night affected two television stations in Marquette, Michigan.{{cite news|url=http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/news/story.aspx?id=859352#.URm-DX-9KK0|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130215013020/http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/news/story.aspx?id=859352 |archive-date=February 15, 2013 |work=WLUC-TV |title=Zombies? Emergency Broadcast System hacked |date=February 13, 2013 }} Emergency Broadcast System Hacked{{cite web|title=Bogus Walking Dead notice interrupts programming on 3 Marquette stations|url=http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2013/02/zombie_apocalypse_now_michigan.html|work=The Flint Journal|access-date=May 9, 2013|date=February 12, 2013|archive-date=February 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130214013017/http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2013/02/zombie_apocalypse_now_michigan.html|url-status=live}}

On the morning of February 12, DJs from WIZM-FM in La Crosse, Wisconsin, were discussing the KRTV EAS intrusion. As part of the segment, they aired an audio clip of the actual EAS intrusion (including the tones); this inadvertently led to WIZM-FM and La Crosse TV station WKBT-DT rebroadcasting the alert.{{cite news|work=WKBT|url=http://www.news8000.com/news/WKBT-News-8-determines-cause-of-strange-message-about-zombies/-/326/18513890/-/14bajrvz/-/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130215014627/http://www.news8000.com/news/WKBT-News-8-determines-cause-of-strange-message-about-zombies/-/326/18513890/-/14bajrvz/-/index.html |archive-date=February 15, 2013 |title= WKBT News 8 determines cause of strange message about zombies|access-date=February 15, 2013}}

Scripps acquired 15 of the 16 stations owned by Cordillera Communications (the former Evening Post station group), including all of MTN, in 2019.{{cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/fcc-oks-scripps-purchase-of-cordillera-stations|date=April 5, 2019|work=Broadcasting & Cable|first=John|last=Eggerton|title=FCC OKs Scripps Purchase of Cordillera Stations|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214204033/https://www.nexttv.com/news/fcc-oks-scripps-purchase-of-cordillera-stations|url-status=live}} In 2021, Scripps filed to switch all of the full-power MTN stations, including KRTV, from the VHF to the UHF band in order to improve reception; it has requested channel 22 for KRTV.{{r|krtvtouhf}}

KRTV's signal is multiplexed:

Aside from using virtual channel 9, KXLH-LD broadcasts a slightly different mix of subchannels. Ion Plus is carried on KTVH's Great Falls semi-satellite, KTGF-LD, and the MTN independent service is carried on KTVH.{{cite web |title=RabbitEars TV Query for KTGF-LD |url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KTGF-LD#station |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180808104408/https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KTGF-LD#station |archive-date=August 8, 2018 |access-date=February 27, 2022 |website=rabbitears.info}}

KRTV shut down its analog signal (VHF channel 3) on February 17, 2009, the original digital television transition date.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna29245267|agency=Associated Press|title=List of TV stations ending analog broadcasts|date=February 17, 2009|work=NBC News|access-date=March 20, 2023|archive-date=January 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230106052115/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna29245267|url-status=live}} The station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition VHF channel 7.{{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 }}

In addition to KXLH-LD, KRTV has 20 other dependent translators in north-central and northern Montana.{{Cite web|date=July 23, 2021|title=List of TV Translator Input Channels|url=https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/tv-translator-input-channels-07232021.xlsx|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209195336/https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/tv-translator-input-channels-07232021.xlsx|archive-date=December 9, 2021|access-date=December 17, 2021|publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}

{{div col|colwidth=20em}}

• Big Sandy, Montana: K19JQ-D
• Chinook: K13OU-D
• Conrad: K18KM-D
• Denton: K12RE-D
• Dodson: K10FC-D
• Fort Peck: K22MN-D
• Glasgow: K09HY-D
• Havre: K09ZB-D
• Hinsdale: K10JK-D
• Joplin: K27JW-D
• Lewistown: K15LD-D
• Malta: K13GP-D
• Phillips County: K24MN-D
• Saco: K12FB-D
• Stanford: K11WK-D
• Sweetgrass: K25NJ-D
• Tampico: K30LC-D
• West Knees: K11WQ-D
• Whitewater: K11GX-D
• Wolf Point: K19JR-D

{{div col end}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.krtv.com/ KRTV.com] - Official KRTV website
• [http://www.kxlh.com/ KXLH.com] - Official KXLH website
• {{FCC-LMS-Facility|168401|KXLH-LD}}
• [http://nwda.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv06501 KRTV Records] (University of Montana Archives)

{{Great Falls TV}}

{{Helena TV}}

{{TV Stations Montana}}

{{Scripps Sports}}

{{Great Falls, Montana}}

{{EWS CORP}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Krtv}}

Category:1958 establishments in Montana

Category:CBS affiliates

Category:E. W. Scripps Company television stations

Category:Grit (TV network) affiliates

Category:Ion Television affiliates

Category:Laff (TV network) affiliates

Category:Montana Television Network

Category:Television channels and stations established in 1958

RTV