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After one season, the station was sold to ] and for a very brief period of time it used the call sign '''KMGM-TV'''. It later changed its call sign again to '''KMSP-TV''' when the station was sold to its longtime owner United Television (then a subsidiary of ]) in ]. After one season, the station was sold to ] and for a very brief period of time it used the call sign '''KMGM-TV'''. It later changed its call sign again to '''KMSP-TV''' when the station was sold to its longtime owner United Television (then a subsidiary of ]) in ].


===ABC affiliation===
⚫ In ], KMSP took over the ] network affiliation from WTCN-TV (channel 11, now ]), an affiliation it would keep until ]. Throughout its years with ABC, KMSP was notorious for having a sub-standard news department with large staff turnover. Ratings were dismal with KMSP obtaining only one-third of the viewing audience of their two competitors, ] affiliate ] (channel 4) and ] station ] (channel 5).


⚫ In ], KMSP took over the ] network affiliation from WTCN-TV (channel 11, now ]), an affiliation it would keep until ]. Throughout its years with ABC, KMSP was notorious for having a sub-standard news department with large staff turnover. Ratings were dismal with KMSP obtaining only one-third of the viewing audience of each of their two competitors, ] affiliate ] (channel 4) and ] station ] (channel 5).
⚫ Ratings improved by ] when ABC went from being the last-place network to being the first. To cash in, KMSP rebranded itself "ABC9" (approximately 20 years before U.S. stations would be using the network name in their branding ''en masse''), and retooled their newscast. Unfortunately, KMSP's news department was still not up to the same level as the competition, and ABC put KMSP on notice that it would drop its affiliation unless improvements were made, and fast.


⚫ Ratings improved by ] when ABC went from being the last-place network to being the first. To cash in, KMSP rebranded itself "ABC9" (approximately 20 years before U.S. stations would be using the network name in their branding ''en masse''), and retooled their newscast. Unfortunately, KMSP's news department was still not up to the same level as the competition. In the wake of ABC's rise to first place in viewership, the network sought to upgrade its affiliate list, which was made up of some stations that either had poor signals or poorly-performing local programming. ABC was unhappy with KMSP, and they warned the station that it would find a new local affiliate unless improvements were made, and fast.
⚫ ===Independent station===
⚫ On ], ], ABC announced that KSTP-TV would be its new affiliate in the Twin Cities. In the wake of ABC's rise to first place in viewership, the network sought to upgrade its affiliate list, which was made up of several stations that either had poor signals or poorly-performing local programming. Other higher-profile stations, like KSTP-TV switched to ABC during this period. The signing of channel 5 made nationwide news, as it had been an NBC affiliate for 30 years. In retaliation, KMSP immediately removed all ABC branding and regularly pre-empted network programming. KMSP attempted to affiliate with then-struggling third place NBC. However, NBC, miffed at losing one of its strongest affiliates, turned down KMSP's offer almost immediately and signed an affiliation agreement with independent WTCN-TV.


⚫ ===Independent===
⚫ As a result of being rejected by both ABC and NBC, KMSP was forced to revert into an independent station. They would also be freed up from investing as heavily in their meager news department. Most of the on-air and off-air staffers resigned, not wanting to work for a down-scaled independent operation, and frustrated with the station's lack of competitiveness over the years.
⚫ On ], ], ABC announced that KSTP-TV would be its new affiliate in the Twin Cities. The signing of channel 5 made nationwide news, as it had been an NBC affiliate for 30 years, and its radio station for 50. KSTP looked forward to affiliating with the top network, as third-place NBC had been in a long slump. In retaliation for losing ABC, KMSP immediately removed all ABC branding and regularly pre-empted network programming. KMSP then attempted to affiliate with NBC. However, NBC, miffed at losing one of its strongest affiliates, and not wanting to pick up ABC's rejects, turned down KMSP's offer almost immediately and signed an affiliation agreement with independent ].


⚫ As a result of being rejected by both ABC and NBC, KMSP prepared to become an independent station. They would also be freed up from investing as heavily in their meager news department. Most of the on-air and off-air staffers resigned, not wanting to work for a down-scaled independent operation, and frustrated with the station's lack of competitiveness over the years.
⚫ KMSP became an independent station once again on ], ], and picked up cartoons and more syndicated shows, with most of them coming from WTCN-TV. It rebranded itself as "Receptive Channel 9", and became quite aggressive in programming, obtaining broadcast rights to several state high school sports championships (]), the ]'s ] and the ] baseball team. The stripped-down newscast was moved to 9:30, then by ] to 9:00 and expanded to a full hour.

⚫ The affiliate switch occurred on ], ], and KMSP debuted its new independent schedule featuring cartoons and more syndicated shows, many of them coming from WTCN-TV. It rebranded itself as "Receptive Channel 9", and became quite aggressive in programming, obtaining broadcast rights to several state high school sports championships (]), the ]'s ] and the ] baseball team. The stripped-down newscast was moved to 9:30, then by ] to 9:00 and expanded to a full hour.


As many people were predicting failure for the new channel 9, KMSP's transition into an independent station turned out to be a blessing in disguise. It was far more successful than it ever had been as an ABC affiliate. It became a regional ], available on nearly every cable system in Minnesota as well as large portions of ], ], ], and ]. Over time, IT became one of the most successful and profitable independent stations in the country. As many people were predicting failure for the new channel 9, KMSP's transition into an independent station turned out to be a blessing in disguise. It was far more successful than it ever had been as an ABC affiliate. It became a regional ], available on nearly every cable system in Minnesota as well as large portions of ], ], ], and ]. Over time, IT became one of the most successful and profitable independent stations in the country.
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During the early ], KMSP went through another ownership change when United Television was merged with ]. During the early ], KMSP went through another ownership change when United Television was merged with ].


===First with Fox=== ===First FOX affiliation===
The station remained independent through ]. Intrigued by the idea of being a network affiliate while not having to be tied down to a network-dominated schedule, KMSP became one of the original affiliates of the newly-launched ] network. However, it did not remain a Fox affiliate for long. In ], KMSP was one of several Fox affiliates nationwide disappointed with the network's programming offerings, and they started pre-empting and time-shifting network shows. Prior to the start of the 1988-1989 Fall season, Fox cancelled channel 9's affiliation entirely and subsequently moved its programming to KITN-TV (channel 29, now ]). KMSP-TV became independent once again. The station remained independent through ]. Intrigued by the idea of being a network affiliate while not having to be tied down to a network-dominated schedule, KMSP became one of the original affiliates of the newly-launched ] network. However, it did not remain a FOX affiliate for long. By ], KMSP was one of several FOX affiliates nationwide disappointed with the network's weak programming offerings at the time, particularly on Saturday nights, which were bogging down KMSP's otherwise successful independent lineup. They started pre-empting and time-shifting network shows, much to FOX's irritation. After an ultimatum by the network to run the full schedule in the desired time slots was rejected by KMSP, Fox named ] Channel 29 as its new Twin Cities affiliate, and KMSP returned to full independent status.


===UPN affiliation=== ===UPN affiliation===
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KMSP became one of UPN's most successful affiliates. In addition, it was still enjoying success with local sports programming featuring the Twins(now on WFTC), as well as the ] championships (now on ]). KMSP became one of UPN's most successful affiliates. In addition, it was still enjoying success with local sports programming featuring the Twins(now on WFTC), as well as the ] championships (now on ]).


===Back to Fox=== ===Back to FOX===
KMSP remained as a UPN affiliate even after the station, along with several other stations owned by Chris-Craft, was sold to the ]. Soon after, Fox bought WFTC. An affiliation swap was expected after KMSP's affiliation contract with UPN ran out, as Fox likely desired channel 9's ] signal and rapidly growing news operation. On ] ]; KMSP swapped network affiliations with WFTC. This move (accompanied by a "Make the Switch" ad campaign on both stations) made KMSP a Fox station once again, and fulfilled Fox's desire for a VHF signal and established news operation in the Twin Cities. At that time, KMSP took all Fox programming, including the Fox Box (now rebranded as ]). It should be noted that of all the former Chris-Craft stations Fox retained, KMSP was the only one not to retain its UPN affiliation. KMSP remained as a UPN affiliate even after the station, along with several other stations owned by Chris-Craft, was sold to the ] in 2001. An affiliation swap was expected after KMSP's affiliation contract with UPN ran out, as FOX likely would prefer the affiliation on their own station, one with a strong, established ] signal and news operation. The move was made easier when FOX obtained local affiliate WFTC from ] shortly after in July 2001.


]
⚫ Fox invested heavily in KMSP, and created the strongest news operation ever (they even briefly produced a newscast for sister station WFTC). In addition, Fox has become a full-fledged competitor with NBC, ABC and CBS with shows like "]", "]" and "]" and a strong cable news operation. Ironically, the late night edition of "Fox 9 News" today often draw better ratings than the newscasts on KSTP-TV.

On ] ], KMSP and WFTC swapped network affiliations. This move (accompanied by a "Make the Switch" ad campaign on both stations) made KMSP a FOX station once again. At that time, KMSP took all FOX programming, including the ''Fox Box'' (now rebranded as ]). Notably, of all the former Chris-Craft stations FOX retained, KMSP was the only one not to retain its UPN affiliation.

⚫ FOX proceeded to invest heavily in KMSP, creating the station's strongest news operation ever (they even briefly produced a newscast for sister station WFTC). In addition, FOX soon become a full-fledged competitor with NBC, ABC and CBS with shows like "]", "]" and "]" and an aggressive cable news operation. Ironically, the late night edition of "FOX9 News" today often draws better ratings than the newscasts on KSTP-TV, which obtained the ABC affiliation from it decades earlier.


On ] ], 4Kids TV programming moved to sister station WFTC. On ] ], 4Kids TV programming moved to sister station WFTC.
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==Programming== ==Programming==
The station has had a long-running 9 p.m. ] (''Fox 9 News at 9''), which airs an hour before most other news broadcasts in the area (being in the ], ] TV stations usually air their nightly newscasts at 10 p.m.). The two primary ]s are and , who have been paired longer than any other anchor team in the Twin Cities, according to the station. The station has had a long-running 9 p.m. ] (now known as ''FOX9 News at 9''), which airs an hour before most other news broadcasts in the area. The two primary ]s are and , who have been paired longer than any other anchor team in the Twin Cities, according to the station.


==Notable Personalities== ==Notable Personalities==
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*'''Robin Wolfram''', Morning News Anchor *'''Robin Wolfram''', Morning News Anchor
*, Weekend Morning Anchor (August-October 2006)'''''' *, Weekend Morning Anchor (August-October 2006)''''''

==News Directors==
*'''Ray Niekamp''', Interim 1978-1980
*'''Tony Burton''', News Director and Anchor, 1980+
*'''Penny Parish'''
*'''Dana Benson''', until 2002
*'''Ted Canova''', 2002-January 2006
*'''Bill Dallman''', May 2006-present

==News/Station Presentation==
===Newscast Titles===
'''Morning'''
*''Good Day Minnesota'' (1997-2002)
*''FOX9 Morning News'' (2002-present)

'''Evening'''
*''Minnesota 9 News'' (1970s-Early 1990s)
*''9 News'' (1990s-2002)
*''FOX9 News'' (2002-present)


==Broadcasting facilities== ==Broadcasting facilities==

Revision as of 19:41, 12 June 2007

KMSP is also the ICAO airport code for the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport

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KMSP-TV, channel 9, is an owned-and-operated television station of the News Corporation-owned Fox Broadcasting Company, located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The station serves the Minneapolis-St. Paul (also known as the Twin Cities) area, and portions of western Wisconsin. KMSP-TV and sister station WFTC (channel 29, the Twin Cities' MyNetworkTV affiliate) are currently co-located in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and also share a transmission tower in Shoreview, Minnesota.

The station is noted for having a number of Emmy-winning photojournalists and reporters. The newscasts have been nationally honored with the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award for Best Newscast and Spot News Coverage, in addition to Investigative Reporting, and Videography.

The KMSP-WFTC duopoly is a union shop, with all technicians and photographers being required to join the IBEW Local 292.

History

The station began broadcasting as KEYD on March 12, 1955 and was affiliated with the DuMont Television Network. One of its first news reporters was Harry Reasoner, who later in life would become one of the first presenters on 60 Minutes. DuMont shut down in 1956, leaving the station as an independent outlet.

After one season, the station was sold to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and for a very brief period of time it used the call sign KMGM-TV. It later changed its call sign again to KMSP-TV when the station was sold to its longtime owner United Television (then a subsidiary of 20th Century Fox) in 1958.

ABC affiliation

In 1961, KMSP took over the ABC network affiliation from WTCN-TV (channel 11, now KARE), an affiliation it would keep until 1979. Throughout its years with ABC, KMSP was notorious for having a sub-standard news department with large staff turnover. Ratings were dismal with KMSP obtaining only one-third of the viewing audience of each of their two competitors, CBS affiliate WCCO-TV (channel 4) and NBC station KSTP-TV (channel 5).

Ratings improved by 1977 when ABC went from being the last-place network to being the first. To cash in, KMSP rebranded itself "ABC9" (approximately 20 years before U.S. stations would be using the network name in their branding en masse), and retooled their newscast. Unfortunately, KMSP's news department was still not up to the same level as the competition. In the wake of ABC's rise to first place in viewership, the network sought to upgrade its affiliate list, which was made up of some stations that either had poor signals or poorly-performing local programming. ABC was unhappy with KMSP, and they warned the station that it would find a new local affiliate unless improvements were made, and fast.

Independent

On August 29, 1978, ABC announced that KSTP-TV would be its new affiliate in the Twin Cities. The signing of channel 5 made nationwide news, as it had been an NBC affiliate for 30 years, and its radio station for 50. KSTP looked forward to affiliating with the top network, as third-place NBC had been in a long slump. In retaliation for losing ABC, KMSP immediately removed all ABC branding and regularly pre-empted network programming. KMSP then attempted to affiliate with NBC. However, NBC, miffed at losing one of its strongest affiliates, and not wanting to pick up ABC's rejects, turned down KMSP's offer almost immediately and signed an affiliation agreement with independent WTCN-TV.

As a result of being rejected by both ABC and NBC, KMSP prepared to become an independent station. They would also be freed up from investing as heavily in their meager news department. Most of the on-air and off-air staffers resigned, not wanting to work for a down-scaled independent operation, and frustrated with the station's lack of competitiveness over the years.

The affiliate switch occurred on March 5, 1979, and KMSP debuted its new independent schedule featuring cartoons and more syndicated shows, many of them coming from WTCN-TV. It rebranded itself as "Receptive Channel 9", and became quite aggressive in programming, obtaining broadcast rights to several state high school sports championships (MSHSL), the NHL's Minnesota North Stars and the Minnesota Twins baseball team. The stripped-down newscast was moved to 9:30, then by 1981 to 9:00 and expanded to a full hour.

As many people were predicting failure for the new channel 9, KMSP's transition into an independent station turned out to be a blessing in disguise. It was far more successful than it ever had been as an ABC affiliate. It became a regional superstation, available on nearly every cable system in Minnesota as well as large portions of North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Over time, IT became one of the most successful and profitable independent stations in the country.

During the early 1980s, KMSP went through another ownership change when United Television was merged with Chris-Craft Industries.

First FOX affiliation

The station remained independent through 1986. Intrigued by the idea of being a network affiliate while not having to be tied down to a network-dominated schedule, KMSP became one of the original affiliates of the newly-launched FOX network. However, it did not remain a FOX affiliate for long. By 1988, KMSP was one of several FOX affiliates nationwide disappointed with the network's weak programming offerings at the time, particularly on Saturday nights, which were bogging down KMSP's otherwise successful independent lineup. They started pre-empting and time-shifting network shows, much to FOX's irritation. After an ultimatum by the network to run the full schedule in the desired time slots was rejected by KMSP, Fox named KITN Channel 29 as its new Twin Cities affiliate, and KMSP returned to full independent status.

UPN affiliation

By the early 1990s, Fox had exploded in popularity. It had strong shows that were starting to rival the offerings of the 'Big Three' networks, and had just picked up rights to the NFL. In response to this, KMSP's then-owner, Chris-Craft/United Television, partnered with Paramount Pictures (which soon became part of media conglomerate Viacom) to create the United Paramount Network (UPN). Channel 9 became a UPN affiliate on January 16, 1995, the day the network commenced operations.

KMSP became one of UPN's most successful affiliates. In addition, it was still enjoying success with local sports programming featuring the Twins(now on WFTC), as well as the MSHSL championships (now on KSTC).

Back to FOX

KMSP remained as a UPN affiliate even after the station, along with several other stations owned by Chris-Craft, was sold to the Fox Television Stations Group in 2001. An affiliation swap was expected after KMSP's affiliation contract with UPN ran out, as FOX likely would prefer the affiliation on their own station, one with a strong, established VHF signal and news operation. The move was made easier when FOX obtained local affiliate WFTC from Clear Channel shortly after in July 2001.

File:Switch KMSP.jpg
A commercial informing people about the switch (2002)

On September 8 2002, KMSP and WFTC swapped network affiliations. This move (accompanied by a "Make the Switch" ad campaign on both stations) made KMSP a FOX station once again. At that time, KMSP took all FOX programming, including the Fox Box (now rebranded as 4Kids TV). Notably, of all the former Chris-Craft stations FOX retained, KMSP was the only one not to retain its UPN affiliation.

FOX proceeded to invest heavily in KMSP, creating the station's strongest news operation ever (they even briefly produced a newscast for sister station WFTC). In addition, FOX soon become a full-fledged competitor with NBC, ABC and CBS with shows like "24", "House" and "American Idol" and an aggressive cable news operation. Ironically, the late night edition of "FOX9 News" today often draws better ratings than the newscasts on KSTP-TV, which obtained the ABC affiliation from it decades earlier.

On September 9 2006, 4Kids TV programming moved to sister station WFTC.

Video News Release

On June 16, 2006, KMSP played a "video news release" about convertibles produced by GM in its entirety. The narrator, Medialink publicist Andrew Schmertz, was introduced as reporter André Schmertz. KMSP did not disclose the corporate source of this segment to their viewers.

Programming

The station has had a long-running 9 p.m. newscast (now known as FOX9 News at 9), which airs an hour before most other news broadcasts in the area. The two primary news anchors are Jeff Passolt and Robyne Robinson, who have been paired longer than any other anchor team in the Twin Cities, according to the station.

Notable Personalities

Current On-Air Talent

FOX9 ANCHORS

FOX9 REPORTERS

FOX9 WEATHER TEAM

  • Ian Leonard (AMS Seal of Approval), Chief Meteorologist,Sunday-Thursdays
  • Keith Marler (AMS Seal of Approval), Weekday Morning Meteorologist
  • Christine Clayburg, Friday and Saturday Evening Meteorologist, on a temporary basis
  • Erik Maitland, Weekend Morning Meteorologist
  • Ron Trenda, Fill-in Meteorologist

SPORTS ANCHORS/REPORTERS

Former Anchors & Personalities

  • Lori Aoki, Anchor
  • Tony Burden, Anchor at 9:30 & 10
  • Pete Busch, Traffic
  • Joe Digiovanni, Chief Meteorlogist
  • Rod Grams, Anchor
  • Jeff Grayson, Sports Director (Now with FOX Sports Net)
  • Angela Hampton, 10:00pm News Anchor
  • Heather Harden, Anchor
  • Leslie Jones, Morning Reporter
  • Ernie Martz, Weatherman (1980s)
  • Mike Nicco, Weekend Meteorolgist (December 2003-December 2006)
  • Janie Peterson, Chief Meteorolgist (2000-2006)
  • Gary Rebstock, Anchor
  • Beth Ruyak, Anchor
  • Sam Scaman, Chief Meteorologist
  • Dave Sheehan, Sports (1980s)
  • Tim Sherno, Morning News Anchor (1997-2005; Now at rival KSTP-TV)
  • Mike Tsolinas, Morning Weather
  • Sue Turner, Weekend Anchor
  • Robin Wolfram, Morning News Anchor
  • Lara Yamada, Weekend Morning Anchor (August-October 2006)'

Broadcasting facilities

The KMSP TV Tower is located in Shoreview, Minnesota. KMSP owns the tower, which stands 1466 feet (446.8 m) tall, but shares it with WFTC and the Twin Cities Public Television stations, KTCA and KTCI. Several FM stations are also on the tower: KQRS, KXXR ("93X"), KTCZ ("Cities 97"), KTIS, KSJN, KJZI, KDWB, KEEY ("K102"), WLTE and KZJK.

KMSP has an extensive network of broadcast translators to carry its analog signal throughout much of the state.

Reference

External links

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