KXLF-TV
{{Short description|Television station in Butte, Montana}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox television station
| callsign = KXLF-TV
| logo = KXLF 4 logo.png
| logo_upright = .75
| logo_alt = A white 4 in a red square to the left, with two lines of black lettering: the top line has "KXLF" in a large, bolded serif, and the bottom line has "BUTTE" in a smaller, thin serif.
| branding = KXLF, MTN News
| digital = 5 (VHF), to move to 15 (UHF){{Cite web|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076f917d0c2e17017d1bfba1f14605&id=25076f917d0c2e17017d1bfba1f14605|title=Channel Substitution/Community of License Change|work=Licensing and Management System|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|date=December 21, 2021|accessdate=December 22, 2021|archive-date=December 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222220242/https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076f917d0c2e17017d1bfba1f14605&id=25076f917d0c2e17017d1bfba1f14605|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-22-1232A1.pdf|title=Report & Order|publisher=Media Bureau, Federal Communications Commission|date=November 29, 2022|access-date=January 12, 2023|archive-date=December 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221225142823/https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-22-1232A1.pdf|url-status=live}}
| virtual = 4
| network = Montana Television Network
| affiliations = {{ubl|4.1: CBS, MTN|4.2: Independent "MTN"|for others, see {{section link||Subchannels}}}}
| airdate = {{start date and age|1953|8|14|p=y|br=yes}}
| location = Butte, Montana
| country = United States
| callsign_meaning = From the XL Radio Network
| former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|Analog: 6 (VHF, 1953–1956)|4 (VHF, 1956–2009)}}
| owner = E. W. Scripps Company
| licensee = Scripps Broadcasting Holdings LLC
| former_affiliations = {{ubl|NBC (1953–1960, secondary 1960–1966)|DuMont (secondary, 1953–1955)|ABC (secondary 1955–1976 and 1984–1990, primary 1976–1984)|UPN (2000–2006)|The CW (DT2, 2006–2023)}}
| erp = 10 kW
| haat = {{convert|588|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| facility_id = 35959
| coordinates = {{coord|46|0|27|N|112|26|33|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|display=inline, title}}
| licensing_authority = FCC
| website = {{URL|https://kxlf.com/}}
}}
KXLF-TV (channel 4) is a television station in Butte, Montana, United States, affiliated with CBS. Owned by the E. W. Scripps Company, it is part of the Montana Television Network (MTN), a statewide network of CBS-affiliated stations. KXLF-TV's studios are located on South Montana Street in downtown Butte, and its transmitter is located on XL Heights east of the city. KXLF-TV and KBZK (channel 7) in Bozeman split the media market, and local news for the Butte area is produced from KBZK's Bozeman studios.
KXLF-TV is Montana's first and oldest television station. It began broadcasting on August 14, 1953, as an affiliate of NBC and the DuMont Television Network. It was an extension of KXLF radio, part of Ed Craney's regional Z-Bar Network. Originally on channel 6, it relocated to channel 4 in 1956 when it moved its transmitter to XL Heights, atop the Continental Divide, and increased its coverage area. That same year, it moved its studios into a former Milwaukee Road depot. Joe Sample purchased KXLF radio and television in 1960; the station switched primary network affiliations to CBS, and in 1969, it was one of the original three stations in MTN. In 1970, KXLF-TV spawned KPAX-TV in Missoula, which originally was a full-time satellite station but began producing local programming in 1977.
MTN was sold to SJL, Inc. in 1984, and SJL sold the stations outside of Billings to Cordillera Communications in 1986. KXLF-TV viewers continued to receive newscasts consisting of Butte inserts into KTVQ's news until January 1989. KCTZ, now KBZK, was purchased in 1993 to rebroadcast KXLF-TV and returned to that role in 2000. In 2011, KXLF-TV's Butte-area newscasts began to originate from Bozeman.
History
=Early years=
Ed Craney, owner of the regional Z-Bar Network of radio stations including KXLF (1370 AM) in Butte, announced plans for television stations in Butte, Great Falls, and Missoula in November 1951.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-t-v-station-may-ope/145057213/|date=November 23, 1951|page=16|title=T-V Station May Operate Here|newspaper=The Montana Standard|location=Butte, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 9, 2024|archive-date=April 9, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409190434/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-t-v-station-may-ope/145057213/|url-status=live}} Television Montana filed its application with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on June 26, 1952, for channel 4 and changed to channel 6 on September 26. This was granted on February 25, 1953,{{Cite web|url=https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=85767|title=History Cards for KXLF-TV|publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}
Late on the night of August 14, 1953, KXLF-TV sent out its first test pattern. It was the first television signal broadcast in Montana.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-mining-city-tv-stat/145056770/|date=August 16, 1953|page=16|title=Mining City TV Station on Air|newspaper=The Montana Standard|location=Butte, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 9, 2024|archive-date=April 9, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409190426/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-mining-city-tv-stat/145056770/|url-status=live}} Regular programming began August 31, with network programs from NBC and the DuMont Television Network; Butte's other station, KOPR-TV (channel 4), was affiliated with CBS and ABC;{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-independent-record-television-statio/145056895/|date=September 1, 1953|page=9|agency=Associated Press|title=Television Stations In Butte Start Montana Programs|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 9, 2024|archive-date=April 9, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409190433/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-independent-record-television-statio/145056895/|url-status=live}} that station lasted 13 months before going out of business in 1954.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88010918/kopr-tv-channel-4-suspends-operations/|date=September 19, 1954|work=The Montana Standard|title=KOPR-TV Channel 4 Suspends Operations After Tonight's Telecasting, September 19th|page=16|access-date=October 30, 2021|archive-date=October 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030225314/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88010918/kopr-tv-channel-4-suspends-operations/|url-status=live}} In addition to network programming, in its early years KXLF-TV aired a number of local programs, all of which was produced live in the studio, including shows and commercials. Some of Butte's local shows in the 1950s were The Oldtimer, featuring John Diz, This Afternoon with You, hosted by Darien Carkeet, What's New? hosted by Ed Craney and KXLF the Clown, featuring Wes Haugen, and Shadow Stumpers where viewers called in to identify what object's shadow was on TV.
File:20210806 97 Milwaukee Road depot, Butte, Montana (51886248303).jpg
When KXLF-TV signed on the air, it operated from studios on the upper floor of a Pay 'n Save food and drug store on Harrison Avenue.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-kxlf-tv-marks-25th/87418636/|date=August 20, 1978|page=25|title=KXLF-TV marks 25th anniversary|newspaper=The Montana Standard|location=Butte, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 9, 2024|archive-date=September 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903233638/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-kxlf-tv-marks-25th/87418636/|url-status=live}} In 1956, the Milwaukee Road railroad announced it would vacate its existing passenger depot for a site with more parking and less office space, selling the old depot to Craney.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-new-butte-passenger/145058216/|date=September 21, 1956|page=11|title=New Butte Passenger Depot to Be Constructed by Milwaukee Road|newspaper=The Montana Standard|location=Butte, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 9, 2024|archive-date=April 9, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409190424/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-new-butte-passenger/145058216/|url-status=live}}
In July 1956, the station moved to channel 4 due to concerns that the concurrent operation of channel 6 stations in Butte and Pocatello, Idaho, would result in interference{{cite news|title=KXLF-TV Moved to Ch. 4|url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1956/1956-07-23-BC.pdf|access-date=September 29, 2015|work=Broadcasting|date=July 23, 1956|page=54|archive-date=September 27, 2015|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20150927152933/http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1956/1956-07-23-BC.pdf|url-status=live|id={{ProQuest|1401219473}}}} Coinciding with the channel change, the station relocated its transmitter to a site along the Continental Divide. The new facility—soon known as XL Heights{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-cable-tv-275000/145061924/|date=February 21, 1962|page=Cable 4|title=Cable TV: $275,000 Project|newspaper=The Montana Standard|location=Butte, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 9, 2024|archive-date=April 9, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409190831/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-cable-tv-275000/145061924/|url-status=live}}—increased the station's coverage.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/great-falls-tribune-new-butte-tv-tower-h/88048225/|date=November 25, 1956|page=27|agency=Associated Press|title=New Butte TV Tower Has Large Range|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|location=Great Falls, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 9, 2024|archive-date=April 9, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409191238/https://www.newspapers.com/article/great-falls-tribune-new-butte-tv-tower-h/88048225/|url-status=live}} In January 1958, the Z-Bar Network put KXLJ-TV (channel 12) on the air in Helena, serving as a satellite station of KXLF-TV;{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1958/1958-01-06-BC.pdf|work=Broadcasting|date=January 6, 1958|title=Newly on Air: WMBD-TV, KXLF-TV Satellite KXLJ-TV|id={{ProQuest|1285743789}}|page=84|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=October 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028020708/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1958/1958-01-06-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96536971/tv-station-airs-first-program/|date=January 3, 1958|page=9|title=TV Station Airs First Program|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|location=Great Falls, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182326/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96536971/tv-station-airs-first-program/|url-status=live}} later that year, a translator was put in service to relay the KXLF-TV signal to Missoula.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-missoulian-notice-to-tv-viewers/103493710/|date=October 2, 1958|page=5|title=Notice to TV Viewers...|newspaper=The Missoulian|location=Missoula, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 9, 2024|archive-date=October 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026085053/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-missoulian-notice-to-tv-viewers/103493710/|url-status=live}} That August, KXLF-TV and KXLJ-TV, in association with KFBB-TV in Great Falls, KOOK-TV in Billings (now KTVQ), KID-TV in Idaho Falls, Idaho (now KIDK), and KLIX-TV in Twin Falls, Idaho (now KMVT), formed the Skyline Network,{{cite news|id={{ProQuest|1401229807}}|title=Idaho-Montana Group Form Six Station Tv Network|url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1958/1958-08-11-BC.pdf|access-date=September 29, 2015|work=Broadcasting|date=August 11, 1958|page=68|archive-date=September 27, 2015|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20150927153937/http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1958/1958-08-11-BC.pdf|url-status=live}} and KXLF-TV became a secondary affiliate of CBS.{{cite news|title=Network Shorts|url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1958/1958-09-15-BC.pdf|id={{ProQuest|1401230099}}|access-date=September 29, 2015|work=Broadcasting|date=September 15, 1958|page=44|archive-date=September 27, 2015|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20150927154008/http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1958/1958-09-15-BC.pdf|url-status=live}} The Helena station struggled in a lengthy dispute with Helena's local cable television company, which imported the signals of the stations in Spokane, Washington.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96537265/tv-station-might-close/|date=January 20, 1959|page=2|agency=Associated Press|title=TV Station Might Close|newspaper=The Montana Standard|location=Butte, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182326/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96537265/tv-station-might-close/|url-status=live}} As a direct result, KXLJ-TV was off the air from February 1{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96537396/helena-television-station-suspends-opera/|date=February 2, 1959|page=5|title=Helena Television Station Suspends Operations Sunday|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/20220227182328/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96537396/helena-television-station-suspends/|url-status=live}} to August 6, 1959.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96537925/helena-tv-station-resumes-broadcasts-ca/|date=August 7, 1959|page=20|title=Helena TV Station Resumes Broadcasts, Cable Firm Readying Appeal Action|agency=UPI|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|location=Great Falls, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227182331/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96537925/helena-tv-station-resumes-broadcasts/|url-status=live}}
=Joe Sample ownership=
Ed Craney sold the remainder of the Z-Bar Network in 1960 to Joe Sample, the owner of KOOK-TV, for more than $1 million; Sample kept KXLF radio and television, while KXLJ-AM-TV was immediately divested to Helena TV, Inc., the cable company there. The transaction marked the end of Craney's broadcast interests, which he had been progressively selling off.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-missoulian-butte-and-helena-stations/88962125/|date=October 11, 1960|page=7|title=Butte and Helena Stations Sold by Craney|newspaper=The Missoulian|location=Missoula, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 9, 2024|archive-date=April 9, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409191525/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-missoulian-butte-and-helena-stations/88962125/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|id={{ProQuest|962825762}}|title=Changing hands|url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1960/BC-1960-10-17.pdf|access-date=September 29, 2015|work=Broadcasting|date=October 17, 1960|page=56|archive-date=September 27, 2015|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20150927155027/http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1960/BC-1960-10-17.pdf|url-status=live}} After the change, KXLF-TV became a primary affiliate of CBS; this generated outcry in 1962 when the station refused to carry the World Series from NBC because the picture it could receive from KMSO-TV in Missoula was "not of broadcast quality".{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-fcc-asks-butte-tv-s/87443993/|date=September 28, 1962|pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-fcc-asks/87443955/ 2]|agency=UPI|title=FCC Asks Butte TV Station Why Series Won't Be Shown|newspaper=The Montana Standard|location=Butte, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 9, 2024|archive-date=September 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230904023427/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-fcc-asks-butte-tv-s/87443993/|url-status=live}}
In December 1965, the FCC simultaneously authorized KXLF-TV to build a translator on channel 8 in Missoula and KGVO-TV—the former KMSO-TV—to build a translator on channel 6 in Butte.{{Cite news |date=December 3, 1965 |title=New television translator at Butte okayed |page=8 |work=Montana Standard-Post |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88058324/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030225338/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88058324/new-television-translator-at-butte/ |archive-date=October 30, 2021}} The station further extended its signal to Helena in 1969 with the construction of a second translator.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-independent-record-butte-sends-tv-si/102503828/|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=April 9, 2024|archive-date=September 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929113911/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-independent-record-butte-sends-tv-si/102503828/|url-status=live}} In 1969, the Skyline Network dissolved after Sample acquired KRTV in Great Falls; affiliation and ownership changes at Skyline's outlets 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 (MTN) 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}}
Sample expanded his Montana network by building KPAX-TV in Missoula in 1970. The new station, which replaced the earlier translator, initially served as a full-time rebroadcaster of KXLF-TV. In 1977, KPAX opened separate studios in Missoula to produce local programming and news.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-missoulian-kpax-plans-missoula-studi/103493574/|date=January 8, 1977|page=3-A|title=KPAX Plans Missoula Studio|newspaper=The Missoulian|location=Missoula, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 9, 2024|archive-date=October 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026085803/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-missoulian-kpax-plans-missoula-studi/103493574/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-missoulian-lights-camera-action/87463569/|date=March 13, 1977|page=A-11|title=Lights, Camera, Action|newspaper=The Missoulian|location=Missoula, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 9, 2024|archive-date=October 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231027014153/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-missoulian-lights-camera-action/87463569/|url-status=live}} On September 1, 1976, KXLF-TV and KPAX-TV changed from primary affiliates of CBS and secondary affiliates to ABC to primary affiliates of ABC and secondary affiliates of CBS.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-missoulian-kpax-kxlf-are-abc-affili/87463313/|date=June 19, 1976|page=2-A|title=KPAX, KXLF Are ABC Affiliates|newspaper=The Missoulian|location=Missoula, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 9, 2024|archive-date=October 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026141114/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-missoulian-kpax-kxlf-are-abc-affili/87463313/|url-status=live}}
=SJL, Cordillera, and Scripps ownership=
In 1984, Sample sold the MTN stations to SJL, Inc. for $20 million;{{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}}{{cite news|title=Changing Hands|url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1984/BC-1984-01-16.pdf|access-date=September 29, 2015|work=Broadcasting|date=January 16, 1984|page=138|archive-date=November 27, 2014|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20141127182625/http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1984/BC-1984-01-16.pdf|url-status=live}} KXLF radio was concurrently sold to separate interests and changed call signs.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-y-95-owners-take-ov/145258745/|date=February 12, 1984|page=25|title=Y-95 owners take over KXLF radio in Butte|newspaper=The Montana Standard|location=Butte, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 12, 2024}}{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-kxlf-signs-off-kce/145258840/|date=April 29, 1984|page=27|title=KXLF signs off, KCEZ takes over|newspaper=The Montana Standard|location=Butte, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 12, 2024|archive-date=April 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240413062459/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-kxlf-signs-off-kce/145258840/|url-status=live}} On June 3, KXLF-TV returned to a primary CBS affiliation as the entire MTN network standardized with CBS.{{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}}
SJL sold KXLF, KPAX-TV, and KRTV to the Evening Post Publishing Company, through its Cordillera Communications subsidiary, for $24 million in 1986.{{cite news|title=Changing Hands|url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-09-29.pdf|access-date=September 29, 2015|work=Broadcasting|date=September 29, 1986|page=78|archive-date=September 27, 2015|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20150927172915/http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-09-29.pdf|url-status=live}} While the stations were separated from KTVQ in ownership, the Montana Television Network continued much the way it had, and the stations continued to share news segments and stories.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-tv-station-has-new/37215311/|date=December 28, 1986|page=2|first=Eric|last=Williams|title=TV station has new owners, but no visible difference|newspaper=The Montana Standard|location=Butte, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 9, 2024|archive-date=April 9, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409191301/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-tv-station-has-new/37215311/|url-status=live}}
During the early 2000s, KXLF-TV had a secondary affiliation with UPN;{{cite web|title=UPN Affiliate Stations|url=http://www.upn.com/affiliates/|website=UPN.com|access-date=September 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040603053149/http://www.upn.com/affiliates/|archive-date=June 3, 2004}} the network shut down in 2006 as part of the formation of The CW, which is seen on a digital subchannel of KXLF and KBZK. After the DTV conversion on June 12, 2009, KXLF was one of more than 10 stations asking for a power increase because of the problems with VHF digital signals, particularly low-VHF frequencies.{{cite news |url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/307121-Boise_Station_Gets_Power_Boost.php?rssid=20068&q=digital+tv |title=Boise Station Gets Power Boost |last=Eggerton |first=John |date=June 29, 2009 |work=Broadcasting & Cable |access-date=July 1, 2009 |archive-date=May 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510211347/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/307121-Boise_Station_Gets_Power_Boost.php?rssid=20068&q=digital+tv |url-status=live }} Between 2003 and 2009, responsibility for the Helena repeater, by then KXLH-LP, was transferred from Butte to Great Falls.{{Cite news|title=TV Montana-Style|first=Henry|last=Seltzer|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=July 14, 2003|page=17|id={{ProQuest|225238287}} }}{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-independent-record-kxlh-aims-to-go-d/145274078/|date=September 27, 2009|page=1E|first=John|last=Harrington|title=KXLH aims to go digital in time for Superbowl|newspaper=The Independent-Record|location=Helena, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 13, 2024|archive-date=April 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240413062532/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-independent-record-kxlh-aims-to-go-d/145274078/|url-status=live}}
{{main|KBZK}}
In 1993, Evening Post acquired Bozeman station KCTZ (channel 7), a separate ABC affiliate associated with KSVI of Billings, and made it a satellite of KXLF-TV;{{cite journal|last1=Caton|first1=William F.|title=In Re Application of BIG HORN COMMUNICATIONS, INC. (Assignor) and KCTZ COMMUNICATIONS, INC. (Assignee) For Consent to Assign the License for Station KCTZ(TV), Channel 7, Bozeman, Montana|journal=FCC Record |url=https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1865/m1/161/|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|access-date=September 20, 2015|date=September 17, 1993|volume=8 |issue=19 |pages=6621–6998 |archive-date=November 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107232915/https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1865/m1/161/|url-status=live}} two Cordillera-owned translators, K26DE (channel 26) in Bozeman and K43DU (channel 43) in Butte, then began carrying most of KSVI's programming (including ABC programming),{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Doug|title=TV News|url=http://www.wtfda.org/vud90s/1994/04-94vud.pdf|access-date=September 24, 2015|newspaper=VHF-UHF Digest|date=April 1994|page=7|archive-date=September 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925130200/http://www.wtfda.org/vud90s/1994/04-94vud.pdf|url-status=live}} as well as local Bozeman newscasts produced by Cordillera.{{cite news|last1=Ellig|first1=Tracy|title=Bozeman to get new ABC TV station owner|url=http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/bozeman-to-get-new-abc-tv-station-owner/article_cf617ec3-84b6-54a0-b9b8-b69272329672.html|access-date=September 30, 2015|work=Bozeman Daily Chronicle|date=October 21, 1996|archive-date=November 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109041144/https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/bozeman-to-get-new-abc-tv-station-owner/article_cf617ec3-84b6-54a0-b9b8-b69272329672.html|url-status=live}} After KWYB (channel 18) signed on in September 1996 and took the ABC affiliation in the Butte-Bozeman market, K43DU was taken off-the-air; on October 31, after K26DE's ABC affiliation ended in advance of the launch of KWYB repeater K28FB (channel 28, now KWYB-LD), KCTZ became a Fox affiliate, and channel 26 became a repeater of KXLF.{{cite news|last1=Ellig|first1=Tracy|title=TV news station changes affiliation|url=http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/tv-news-station-changes-affiliation/article_357ab780-79ea-59df-a22d-5c310581714b.html|access-date=September 30, 2015|work=Bozeman Daily Chronicle|date=October 24, 1996|archive-date=November 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107232926/https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/tv-news-station-changes-affiliation/article_357ab780-79ea-59df-a22d-5c310581714b.html|url-status=live}} During this time, channel 7 also took on a secondary affiliation with UPN.{{cite web|title=UPN Affiliate Stations (Montana)|url=http://www.upn.com/affiliates/hmaffmt.htm|website=UPN.com|access-date=September 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991006083146/http://www.upn.com/affiliates/hmaffmt.htm|archive-date=October 6, 1999}}
KCTZ dropped Fox on August 21, 2000, saying that the network usually generated lower ratings than the Big Three networks in smaller markets,{{cite news|last1=Lutey|first1=Tom|title=Bozeman TV station drops affiliation with Fox|url=http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/bozeman-tv-station-drops-affiliation-with-fox/article_71adecba-96c2-513e-8543-e17bc84e226e.html|access-date=September 30, 2015|work=Bozeman Daily Chronicle|date=August 2, 2000|archive-date=November 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109034220/https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/bozeman-tv-station-drops-affiliation-with-fox/article_71adecba-96c2-513e-8543-e17bc84e226e.html|url-status=live}} and once again became a satellite of KXLF-TV (though with separate advertising){{cite news|last1=Lutley|first1=Tom|title=KCTZ pulls pin on Fox Network|url=http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/kctz-pulls-pin-on-fox-network/article_b3ff3b4f-3b3d-53fb-8452-9a3f7834d1cc.html|access-date=September 30, 2015|work=Bozeman Daily Chronicle|date=August 22, 2000|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108182959/https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/kctz-pulls-pin-on-fox-network/article_b3ff3b4f-3b3d-53fb-8452-9a3f7834d1cc.html|url-status=live}} and changed its call letters to KBZK.{{cite web|title=Call Sign History (KBZK)|url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=33756&Callsign=KBZK|website=Consolidated Database System|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|access-date=September 30, 2015|archive-date=October 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004112159/http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=33756&Callsign=KBZK|url-status=live}}
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 15 for KXLF-TV.{{r|kxlftouhf}}
News operation
In 1971, under Joe Sample ownership MTN instituted a network newscast, which was based in Great Falls (where feeds to the rest of the network could be easily made{{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}}) and accommodated a segment of local news in each city. Missoula began producing a local news segment in 1977 when KPAX was spun out from KXLF-TV.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87463569/|work=The Missoulian|title=Lights, Camera, Action|page=A-11|date=March 13, 1977|access-date=October 21, 2021|archive-date=October 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021015520/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87463569/lights-camera-action/|url-status=live}} This helped MTN lead the local news ratings in Butte, Great Falls, and Missoula; however, KULR-TV led the local news race in Billings.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87461212/|title=Coghlan resigns MTN post to take job in Los Angeles|first=Richard|last=Ecke|date=April 13, 1984|page=1-B|work=Great Falls Tribune|access-date=October 21, 2021|archive-date=October 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021015508/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87461212/coghlan-resigns-mtn-post-to-take-job-in/|url-status=live}} In 1984, production of the MTN network news moved from Great Falls to Billings.{{r|burned}}
While KPAX and KRTV began offering full-length local news programs in 1986, upon the Evening Post purchase, KXLF continued to produce inserts into KTVQ's newscasts in an arrangement that was set to expire in December 1988. The station's news ratings declined as KTVM and its all-local news broadcasts picked up viewers.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-ex-news-anchor-sues/145064194/|date=December 7, 1989|page=3|title=Ex-news anchor sues TV station|newspaper=The Montana Standard|location=Butte, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 13, 2024|archive-date=April 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240413062455/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-ex-news-anchor-sues/145064194/|url-status=live}} At that time, KXLF-TV began preparing to produce full-length local newscasts. The change was scheduled for the start of 1989 but was clouded by the station's dismissal of news director Pat Kearney, a Butte native who had worked at KXLF-TV since 1981 and served as its news director since 1986.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-news-director-leave/145064138/|date=December 8, 1988|page=2|first=John|last=McNay|title=News director leaves KXLF: Veteran reporter Pat Kearney says he was fired, manager says he resigned|newspaper=The Montana Standard|location=Butte, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 13, 2024|archive-date=April 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240413062514/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-news-director-leave/145064138/|url-status=live}} Kearney sued KXLF-TV and Evening Post in December 1989, seeking compensation for unpaid overtime and four years in lost wages.{{r|Mont891207}} The wrongful discharge suit went to trial in 1992; testimony centered around Kearney's ill temper during a November 1988 newscast and other workplace behavior issues.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-defense-shows-forme/145064326/|date=December 1, 1992|page=2|first=Tina|last=Vander Veer|title=Defense shows former KXLF staffer reprimanded for yelling, cursing others|newspaper=The Montana Standard|location=Butte, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 13, 2024|archive-date=April 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240413062456/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-defense-shows-forme/145064326/|url-status=live}} A jury found his discharge not wrongful but awarded Kearney $49,000 in overtime pay.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-kearney-gets-4900/145277337/|date=December 5, 1992|pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-kearney/145277343/ 6]|first=Tina|last=Vander Veer|title=Kearney gets $49,000: Jury awards overtime pay, denies constructive discharge complaint|newspaper=The Montana Standard|location=Butte, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 13, 2024|archive-date=April 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240413062527/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-kearney-gets-4900/145277337/|url-status=live}}
KCTZ produced local Bozeman newscasts while owned by Big Horn Communications;{{cite news|last1=Haines|first1=Joan|title=Online birding: Moseley puts Montana birds at your fingertips|url=http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/online-birding-moseley-puts-montana-birds-at-your-fingertips/article_4af51939-ed90-567c-abe6-629bfb94cd49.html|access-date=October 2, 2015|work=Bozeman Daily Chronicle|date=January 5, 2000|quote=He was the anchor and news director of KCTZ-TV in Bozeman from April 1992 until December 1993.|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108160215/https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/online-birding-moseley-puts-montana-birds-at-your-fingertips/article_4af51939-ed90-567c-abe6-629bfb94cd49.html|url-status=live}} after the station was sold to Cordillera Communications, these newscasts were broadcast on K26DE. Local news returned to KCTZ after the switch to Fox in 1996; however, after channel 7 became KBZK in 2000, the newscasts were canceled and replaced with simulcasts of KXLF's newscasts, retaining a small newsroom in Bozeman to cover stories from the area.
In 2006, KXLF and KBZK began presenting a newscast with an anchor in Butte and another in Bozeman;{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-cbs-changes-newscas/125668087/|date=April 30, 2006|page=D4|title=CBS changes newscast|newspaper=The Montana Standard|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 1, 2023|archive-date=June 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601070333/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-cbs-changes-newscas/125668087/|url-status=live}} this was later replaced with separate local newscasts for both areas. When Laurel Staples, the anchor for the KXLF newscasts, opted in 2011 not to continue with the station, Bozeman began producing newscasts for both areas, with KBZK evening anchor Donna Kelley anchoring the Butte programs.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-kxlf-drops-butte-an/145274172/|date=November 23, 2011|pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-kxlf/145274216/ 8A]|first=Justin|last=Post|title=KXLF drops Butte anchor|newspaper=The Montana Standard|location=Butte, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 13, 2024|archive-date=April 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240413062457/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-kxlf-drops-butte-an/145274172/|url-status=live}} The next year, Cordillera switched from providing KXLF to providing KBZK on Dish Network, leaving satellite dish users in the Butte area unable to view Butte-specific news.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-satellite-tv-users/145274144/|date=June 17, 2012|pages=1D, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-kxlf/145274156/ 2D]|first=Gerard|last=O'Brien|title=Satellite TV users get no KXLF Butte news|newspaper=The Montana Standard|location=Butte, Montana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 13, 2024|archive-date=April 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240413063040/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard-satellite-tv-users/145274144/|url-status=live}}
Technical information
=Subchannels=
The stations' signals are multiplexed:
=Translators=
KXLF-TV's signal is additionally rebroadcast over the following translators:{{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}}
References
{{reflist|2}}
External links
- {{official website|https://kxlf.com/}}
{{Butte/Bozeman TV}}
{{TV Stations Montana}}
{{Scripps Sports}}
{{EWS CORP}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kxlf-Tv}}
Category:1953 establishments in Montana
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 1953