KMOT

KMOT is a broadcast television station serving Minot and northern portions of the Minot–Bismarck/Dickinson–Williston television market in North Dakota. The station broadcasts on virtual and VHF channel 10 and is affiliated with NBC, while also carrying Fox programming on a digital subchannel. It is owned by Gray Media and operates within the NBC North Dakota network, a regional group of stations that includes KFYR-TV in Bismarck, KQCD-TV in Dickinson, and KUMV-TV in Williston. The stations collectively distribute network, syndicated, local, regional, weather, sports, and public-affairs programming across central and western North Dakota. KMOT began test transmissions on January 7, 1958, and formally launched on January 23 of that year. It was established as the third television station in the Meyer broadcasting group, following KFYR-TV and KUMV-TV. In its early years, KMOT carried NBC programming and also maintained a secondary ABC affiliation. KUMV, which had originally operated as a semi-satellite of KFYR-TV, later became associated with KMOT for portions of its programming. Before additional stations entered the market, the Meyer stations also carried selected programming from other networks, including CBS in the Williston area. The station's ownership changed several times. The Meyer family sold its broadcast holdings in 1997 to Sunrise Television Corporation. Sunrise subsequently sold the stations to The Wicks Group of Companies in 2002. Hoak Media acquired KMOT, KFYR-TV, KUMV-TV, KQCD-TV, and several other stations in 2006. Gray Television, now known as Gray Media, announced its acquisition of most of Hoak Media's stations in 2013, and the transaction closed in June 2014. Following that change, Fox programming from the former KXND operation was moved to KMOT's second digital subchannel after the full-power KXND signal was discontinued. KMOT produces weekday local newscasts at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. and rebroadcasts other regional newscasts produced by KFYR-TV. Its sister station KUMV-TV carries local news inserts focused on northwestern North Dakota, with the opening regional news and weather segment originating from KMOT. The stations also cooperate with other NBC North Dakota outlets and, at times, with Gray's KVLY-TV in Fargo for statewide political debates, major sporting events, shared reporting, and technical resources. NBC North Dakota began presenting its local newscasts in high definition in 2012. The station converted to digital-only operation on January 19, 2009, moving its post-transition digital service to VHF channel 10. It added MeTV programming in 2013 and launched a Fox-affiliated news program, West Dakota Fox News at Nine, in October 2014. KMOT's terrestrial signal has historically reached portions of Saskatchewan, although the station is no longer carried by Canadian cable systems. Its principal role remains that of a locally focused NBC affiliate and regional news outlet for Minot and surrounding communities.

KMOT traces its origins to the Meyer broadcasting group, which also operated KFYR-TV in Bismarck and KUMV-TV in Williston. The station conducted test broadcasts beginning January 7, 1958, and officially launched on January 23, 1958, serving Minot and surrounding communities from channel 10. It became the third television station established by the Meyer group. During its early operating period, KMOT primarily carried NBC programming but also maintained a secondary ABC affiliation. The Meyer stations served a broad and relatively dispersed region of North Dakota, using a combination of full-power stations and semi-satellite operations to extend network and local programming across the state. KUMV's programming relationship shifted over time: it initially functioned as a semi-satellite of KFYR-TV and later became associated with KMOT. Before the launch of additional market stations, KUMV also separated from KMOT for selected CBS programs. The station remained under Meyer ownership until 1997, when the family sold its broadcast properties to Sunrise Television Corporation. Sunrise sold the group again in 2002 to The Wicks Group of Companies. In July 2006, Hoak Media acquired KMOT, KFYR-TV, KUMV-TV, KQCD-TV, and several other television properties, including stations in Fargo and Sioux Falls. The Federal Communications Commission approved the transaction in November 2006. KMOT's technical history changed significantly during the United States digital television transition. It discontinued its analog VHF signal on January 19, 2009, and continued digital operation on channel 10 after moving from its pre-transition UHF assignment. This allowed the station to preserve its familiar channel identity while complying with the national transition away from analog broadcasting. The station expanded its multicast offerings in 2013 by adding MeTV. A further programming change followed Gray Television's acquisition of most Hoak Media stations. Gray had initially pursued an arrangement involving Fox affiliate KXND, but the proposed license transaction did not proceed in its original form. Instead, Gray acquired certain non-license assets and a low-power Williston license, while the full-power KXND signal was shut down. Fox programming was subsequently placed on KMOT's second digital subchannel, and West Dakota Fox News at Nine began airing there in October 2014. KMOT operates as part of NBC North Dakota, with KFYR-TV serving as the regional flagship and KQCD-TV and KUMV-TV operating as related stations or semi-satellites. KMOT produces weekday local newscasts at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m., while other newscasts are supplied or rebroadcast through the regional operation. KUMV's evening news includes a regional opening produced from KMOT before continuing with locally focused content from Williston. The stations share selected reporting, sports coverage, political debates, equipment, and other operational resources. Their local newscasts adopted high-definition production in 2012. For much of its history, KMOT has been a leading regional NBC outlet but generally ranked behind KXMC-TV in the northern part of the market. Its terrestrial coverage extends into portions of Saskatchewan, although Canadian cable distribution is no longer available. Today, KMOT remains an active Gray Media station, combining NBC network service, Fox multicast programming, local journalism, commercial television, and regional programming for northern North Dakota.

1. 2014Gray Television ownership begins

   Gray completed its acquisition of KMOT and other Hoak stations in June.

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2. 2014Fox multicast service begins

   Fox programming moved to KMOT's second digital subchannel after the full-power KXND operation was discontinued.

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3. 2013MeTV launch

   KMOT added MeTV to its digital multicast lineup, with the official launch occurring in May.

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4. 2012High-definition local news

   NBC North Dakota began broadcasting its local newscasts in high definition.

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5. 2009Digital-only operation

   KMOT ended analog transmission and continued on digital VHF channel 10.

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6. 2006Hoak Media acquisition

   Hoak Media acquired KMOT and related North Dakota stations; the transaction received FCC approval in November.

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7. 2002Wicks Group acquisition

   Sunrise Television sold the station group to The Wicks Group of Companies.

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8. 1997Meyer ownership ends

   The Meyer family sold its broadcast holdings to Sunrise Television Corporation.

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9. 1958Test transmissions begin

   KMOT began test programming on January 7 before entering regular service later that month.

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10. 1958Regular broadcasting launches

    KMOT officially went on the air on January 23 as a Meyer group television station in Minot.

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A local and regional television broadcaster serving Minot and northern North Dakota, combining NBC network programming with locally produced news, weather, sports, advertising, and digital multicast services.

• KMOT NBC serviceTelevision broadcasting1958

  KMOT's primary service is an NBC-affiliated television broadcast serving Minot and northern portions of western and central North Dakota. It carries NBC network programs alongside local news, weather, regional sports, syndicated content, advertising, and public-affairs programming.

• KMOT Fox digital subchannelDigital multicast television2014

  KMOT carries Fox programming on a secondary digital subchannel. The service was introduced after the discontinuation of the full-power KXND signal and provides an additional commercial network service to the Minot-area audience.

• KMOT local newsNews broadcasting1958

  KMOT produces weekday evening local newscasts, including programs at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. The station also participates in the broader NBC North Dakota news operation, sharing regional reporting, weather, sports, political coverage, and production resources with related stations.

• 2014Acquisition by Gray TelevisionM&A

  Gray Television announced an agreement to acquire most of Hoak Media's stations, including KMOT and its related North Dakota outlets.

  What changed. The transaction closed on June 13, bringing KMOT into Gray's television station portfolio.

  Aftermath. KMOT continued operating within the regional NBC North Dakota structure under Gray ownership.

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• 2014Fox programming added to KMOT's digital lineupProduct launch

  Gray's proposed acquisition structure involving Fox affiliate KXND changed after the license transaction was dismissed, while the full-power KXND signal was discontinued.

  What changed. Fox programming was moved to KMOT's second digital subchannel, and West Dakota Fox News at Nine was introduced from KFYR's Bismarck facilities.

  Aftermath. KMOT became a dual-network outlet carrying NBC on its primary service and Fox through a digital multicast channel.

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• 2013Addition of MeTVProduct launch

  Digital television multiplexing allowed local stations to carry additional programming services alongside their primary network affiliation.

  What changed. KMOT added MeTV to its digital multicast lineup, with the official launch taking place in May.

  Aftermath. The station expanded its over-the-air programming offering beyond its primary NBC service.

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• 2009Transition to digital-only broadcastingStrategy

  The United States television industry was moving from analog transmission to digital broadcasting, requiring stations to discontinue analog services and adopt post-transition channel assignments.

  What changed. KMOT shut down its analog VHF channel 10 signal and continued digital broadcasting on channel 10 after relocating from its pre-transition UHF assignment.

  Aftermath. The change preserved KMOT's established channel identity while making the station a digital-only broadcaster.

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• 2014Gray Television completes acquisition of KMOT

  Gray Television completed its purchase of KMOT and other Hoak Media stations, bringing KMOT into Gray's station portfolio.

  M&A
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• 2014Fox programming moves to KMOT digital subchannel

  After the full-power KXND signal was discontinued, Fox programming was moved to KMOT's second digital subchannel, which also became the home of West Dakota Fox News at Nine.

  Product launch
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• 2013KMOT adds MeTV programming

  KMOT added MeTV to its multicast lineup, with the service formally launching in May.

  Product launch
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• 2009KMOT converts to digital-only broadcasting

  The station ended analog broadcasting and continued its service digitally on its former analog VHF channel 10.

  Other
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• 1958KMOT begins regular television broadcasting

  KMOT completed its transition from test transmissions to regular broadcasting in Minot, becoming the third station in the Meyer broadcasting group.

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1. KMOT
2. Official KMOT website